Construction has ramped up drastically this summer as the nearly $40 million renovation project continues at West View Elementary School.
Outside, the new addition in the front of the building along Chalfonte Avenue is beginning to take shape and inside, crews are busy installing new water, electric and sewer lines, renovating classrooms and hallways with new drywall, paint, ceilings, casework and flooring. Bathrooms have also been updated with new tile and fixtures.
As communicated, this project will be completed in phases. Phase 2C, which includes renovations to most of the classrooms on the top and middle floors, will be completed prior to the first day of school, Wednesday, Aug. 23. The building will be ready for students.
Phase 2A/B will continue through the first semester with completion slated for January of 2024. This phase includes the new front addition, adjoining rooms and a new, centrally-located open stairwell connecting all three floors. During this phase, the front part of the building along Chalfonte will remain open to the outside until the walls are erected and a new roof is added. This is anticipated to be completed by late September.
Before the first day of school, crews will install temporary walls to completely secure off occupied parts of the building from the construction site. The walls will be insulated and soundproof, creating secure barriers between our classrooms and the ongoing construction.
At no time will construction crews have access to the main portion of the building where teaching and learning is taking place. The part of the building occupied by our students and staff will be secure and completely separate, similar to how we separated the spaces when the old office was torn down last spring.
When students return, parts of the building will look strikingly different. Not all classrooms and offices are where they once were and several new temporary classrooms and office spaces have been added.
The main entrance to the school remains in the gym lobby off Bellevue Avenue. This will continue to be the main entrance through at least the first semester. Students who are dropped off late or being picked up early must enter and exit the school through the temporary main entrance. The nurse’s office remains in its temporary location near the gym entrance from the interior of the school.
Staff will be on hand during the first few weeks of school to direct students so they know where they are going as they adjust to the renovated spaces.
Arrival and dismissal procedures will remain as they were last spring.