3 days ago
As summer begins, GRPS renovation projects ‘kicking into full speed'
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Thursday marks the last day of classes for students at Grand Rapids Public Schools.
While they may be eager to begin summer vacation, administrators at GRPS are gearing up for a busy summer of their own — starting with renovations to the old Sigsbee Elementary building, which will soon become Southeast Career Pathways.
The building, located on the corner of Fuller and Logan, is the first to receive funding from the $7 million is being invested to revamp the space that hasn't housed students in the district in over 10 years. Dark walls are being painted lighter, larger windows are being installed to bring in more daylight and new air conditioning systems — soon to be a hallmark of each building in the district — have also been installed.
Upgrades will be complete in late July, but there's plenty more planned elsewhere in the district — including resurfacing Houseman and Briggs Fields and major updates to a number of other buildings. It's a , but leaders say it all starts at the former Sigsbee Elementary.
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'This is the first major renovation project of the Reimagine GRPS with Us bond,' said Luke Stier, director of communications for the district. 'We want to create new, inspirational, flexible learning spaces, and that's what this project does.'
The includes a wide range of projects that leaders say looks to create a more equitable district. Upgrades include a new environmental academy at Ken-O-Sha Park and expanding the existing Riverside Middle School to become a pre-K through 12th grade Montessori school. The district has also committed to installing secured entryways at each of its schools.
'This is really where it's kicking into full speed,' Stier said. 'It's renovation projects, building projects. It's also work across our district to improve things like transportation. We've seen big improvements throughout this year with on time performance. Really working at that from all aspects to create a better GRPS for all our scholars and staff.'
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The $7 million worth of renovations to create Southeast Career Pathways are just the tip of the iceberg. The Reimagine GRPS with Us bond will ultimately inject over $300 million into the district over the next few years.
'It's an exciting year,' Stier said. 'It's work that takes our entire team, our families, our community to come together to reimage GRPS. It's work that's well underway, and we're excited to see it continue.'
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