With Spring Break around the corner, the District is sharing the most recent developments about referendum construction. After more than a year of planning, there will be signs of construction outside of the middle schools.
Middle School Construction
Construction projects at both middle schools will begin over spring break. Some preliminary work was conducted over winter break to prepare for construction. Mobile construction trailers were dropped off this week at Herrick and O’Neill and construction fences will be installed around both schools and they will remain in place for the duration of the project. Work will begin in rooms 124 and 126, the small gym, locker rooms, storage and other areas in the northeast portion of O’Neill. These areas will be abated of asbestos using workers trained, accredited and licensed to perform the work in public school buildings. At all times the project will be monitored by TEM Environmental and aggressive air testing will be conducted following the abatement. These areas will remain unoccupied following spring break as renovation work will begin in this area.
To keep parents, staff and community apprised of construction progress, here are dashboards of progress.
In addition, you can read updates on construction on the District website at https://www.dg58.org/building-for-success/index
Phase 1 Elementary School Construction
In addition to the middle schools, over spring break on Saturday, March 23, the District will begin preliminary construction work at the Phase I Elementary Schools (Henry Puffer, Highland, Hillcrest, and Whittier). In small areas at each of these four schools, asbestos will be abated using a licensed and trained Asbestos Abatement Contractor utilizing workers trained, accredited, and licensed to perform asbestos abatement in Illinois public school buildings. In addition, the project will be monitored at all times by TEM Environmental, Inc.
This limited work allows us the District to get a jump start on larger projects. Since the District needs to begin work immediately after school ends in late May, every opportunity was used to be ready to go. If abatement was put off until June, then regular construction work would be delayed by two more weeks. The following areas will be abated over Spring Break:
- Henry Puffer – Abatement will occur above the primary hallway ceiling
- Highland – Abatement will occur in ceilings above two classroom bathrooms
- Hillcrest – Abatement will occur in ceilings and walls of primary bathrooms
- Whittier – Abatement will occur in ceilings above the primary bathrooms
All schools will undergo environmental air testing following the work. Contractors will cover any masonry units or holes created from the abatement work before school resumes.
The New Civic Center
Significant progress is being made on the new District office that will be shared with the Village of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Police Department. The police will move in later this spring and Village staff will follow. District 58 staff will move in at the end of September. First, the old buildings will be demolished and new parking lots built. Here is a video the village produced that shares the progress of the Civic Center.
"While there are always bumps in the road and sacrifices to be made during construction, I want to thank our students, staff, parents, neighbors and community for your support during this burdensome period and for your continued partnership in ensuring the best environment for our students," said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell.