District 58 completed several facility projects this summer! Most projects are complete, although a few are running behind schedule due to supply chain delays. Crews are working in the evenings and weekends to finish as quickly as possible while minimizing disruptions to students.
This summer’s projects included:
Completed:
- Highland playground renovation: Highland constructed a new, accessible playground that features a climbing wall, a We-saw, an Oodle Swing and much more.
- Henry Puffer basement projects: District 58 replaced flooring and abated asbestos floor tile in the Henry Puffer basement. Crews also removed a basement wall and completed other work to relocate the school library to the basement.
- Pierce Downer mechanical equipment upgrades: District 58 replaced Pierce Downer’s 70-year-old boilers and other key mechanical equipment such as pumps and rooftop units. While the installations are done, crews are still testing the new system to ensure proper operation.
- O’Neill flooring: District 58 replaced flooring and abated asbestos floor tile in three O’Neill classrooms.
- Herrick pavement and Henry Puffer playground pavement: Crews repaired pavement and curbing at both schools.
- Miscellaneous painting: District 58 completed miscellaneous painting at most schools.
In-progress
- Pierce Downer roof replacement and masonry maintenance: The contractor is waiting for the delivery of architectural sheet metal. As it arrives, crews are working after school and on weekends to finish the project.
- Fairmount mechanical equipment upgrades: District 58 is replacing Fairmount’s 33-year-old condensing unit and 59-year-old unit ventilators with new, energy efficient models. The work is almost done, and contractors are working at Fairmount after school every day to finish.
- Kingsley server relocation: District 58 relocated its technology servers from the Longfellow Center to Kingsley School and installed a backup generator. Installation is done, but the generator’s final startup and testing still needs to be completed.
The Henry Puffer and O’Neill flooring project was partially funded by a School Maintenance Project Grant. The majority of the Highland playground project was funded by a generous donation from the Climb Higher at Highland community group. Of the remaining projects, most was paid using bonds that District 58 sold last winter for this purpose.
This past summer's work covers just some of District 58's many critical facility needs. The District reconvened its Citizen Task Force and continued its master facility planning this summer. Visit www.dg58.org/facility-planning to learn more.