CPS

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking from the Board of Education for the Charles A. Prosser Career Academy Renovation Project.

The work at Prosser Career Academy includes a newly renovated CTE (Career & Technical Education) wing to support Chicago Builds, a two-year training program in the building trades for 11th and 12th grade students who are interested in pursuing a career in the building trades after high school graduation. Prosser’s CTE wing currently houses programs such as auto mechanics, culinary arts, graphic arts, HVAC, carpentry and a machine shop. This wing’s renovations will include water filtration repairs, interior finish updates, and IT, fire protection, and mechanical systems upgrades. The roof and building envelope will be repaired as needed. Programming improvements are anticipated to include a culinary arts lab, a low voltage/solar lab, digital media labs, a fabrication lab, and a computer classroom with offices and conference room.

The project is also proposed to include site improvements such as parking lot upgrades, landscaping and ADA accessibility improvements.

The CTE programs at Prosser will be modernized to align with the Chicago Federation of Labor and industry training partners. Labor partners will provide technical assistance to students and teachers to ensure programs align with industry standards and stay current to industry trends. Prosser students will have access to opportunities in pre-apprenticeship programs and unique paid internships with industry partners in chosen career paths. Students will also have the opportunity to earn dual credits through the City College of Chicago partnership. More than 90 percent of Prosser students in 2018 graduated with at least one early college and career credential.

“This is a huge investment into the future careers of the hundreds of students who attend Prosser Academy. We are proud to help students launch into careers that will make a difference in building a stronger future both for our graduates and employers across Chicago.”

– Alderman Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward

This is the PBC’s second project at Prosser Career Academy; the first was a science lab renovation in 1993.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #ProsserReno

View the construction contract details for this project here.

The PBC managed the construction of a new, 36,000-square-foot annex to relieve overcrowding at Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School. This four-story annex is home to 22 classrooms, including an art room, a computer room, and a science lab, as well as a multipurpose room that can accommodate up to 120 students for lunch.

“Skinner students are working hard to live up to their promise and potential, and this new annex will help ensure they are earning the first-rate education they deserve. Expectations are high for Chicago students, and they deserve the space and facilities they need to succeed.”

– Mayor Rahm Emanuel

The PBC’s scope of work also included landscaping, parking lot upgrades and renovations to the existing building.

The PBC opened the original Skinner West facility in 2009. View more information about that project here.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #SkinnerWest

View the construction contract details for this project here.

South Loop Elementary School’s new building is a 120,000-square-foot, four-story facility with 32 classrooms–including computer labs, science labs, and art and music rooms– as well as a kitchen and lunchroom, gymnasium with stage, student services center, multipurpose room, and a rooftop play area. The site is also home to a ground-level playlot and a parking lot made with a permeable stormwater detention system.

“The new South Loop Elementary School is a sound investment in current and future students, and in our growing community. Our students are achieving record academic gains and I look forward to seeing this growth continue in the new building.”

– 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell

The new building will accommodate Grades 4-8, and the existing facility (1212 South Plymouth Court) will accommodate Grades K-3. Between both buildings, South Loop Elementary School now has the capacity to serve approximately 1770 students.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #SouthLoop

View the construction contract details for this project here.

“These state-of-the-art facilities expand opportunities for students to develop a passion for lifelong learning while laying the foundation for future success.”

– LaTanya D. McDade, Chicago Public Schools Chief Education Officer

The two-story, 20,000-square-foot annex at Esmond Elementary School replaced a deteriorating, stand-alone modular building. The annex includes a standard classroom, computer lab, science lab, art room with storage, library, kitchen and dining area, administrative office, restrooms, building storage, an elevator and building support space. The project also included a renovated parking lot, refuse enclosure, stormwater management infrastructure, a new outdoor playground, community garden, and a turf field. Renovations to the existing building included a new roof and repairs to the exterior envelope. The annex opened in January 2019, in time for students returning from winter break.

“An investment in our children is an investment in the future of Chicago. Together with Alderman O’Shea, we are proud to bring new state-of-the-art facilities and the extra space necessary to the support students and families on the southwest side.”

– Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Esmond is a “Level 1-plus” rated school, the highest level in Chicago Public Schools’ performance rankings.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #EsmondAnnex

View this project’s contract details here.

This project was included in the PBC’s 2018 Year in Review. Click here to view all the projects completed in 2018.

The two-story, 27,000-square-foot annex at Mt. Greenwood Elementary School includes thirteen standard classrooms, a science lab, administrative space, restrooms and an elevator. Inside the existing school building, two classrooms have been converted to lunchroom space to expand dining capacity. Site improvements include the removal of a modular classroom building and the installation of a new parking lot and playground.

“An investment in our children is an investment in the future of Chicago. Together with Alderman O’Shea, we are proud to bring new state-of-the-art facilities and the extra space necessary to the support students and families on the southwest side.”

– Mayor Rahm Emanuel

This is the PBC’s third construction project at Mt. Greenwood Elementary School; the first two projects were a linked annex and a modular building.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #MtGreenwood

View the contract details for Mt. Greenwood’s vertical construction here.
View the contract details for Mt. Greenwood’s site preparation here.

This project was included in the PBC’s 2018 Year in Review. Click here to view all the projects completed in 2018.

“If we want our students to receive the best education, then they must learn in the best environment. Today, we start to write a new chapter to do just that.”

– Prussing Principal Dr. George Chipain

Ernst Prussing Elementary School is known for its cultural diversity—the student body speaks 24 languages and comes from 37 countries. In 2018, the school achieved a “Level 1-plus” rating, the highest level in Chicago Public Schools’ performance rankings.

However, the temporary classroom buildings on the school’s campus showed a need for more space. Additionally, the 1926 school building had undergone nine decades of structural wear and tear, and its asphalt site was prone to flooding. The PBC’s work at Prussing Elementary School not only reduced overcrowding, but also repaired structural defects and reinvigorated the campus grounds.

The new annex at Prussing Elementary School is a 23,000-square-foot facility featuring two standard classrooms, a computer lab, science room, art room, and music room. The single-story annex also houses restrooms, a kitchen and dining area, administrative office and an elevator, creating a new, ADA-accessible route into the school.

The scope of work at Prussing Elementary School also included renovation work in the legacy building.  The old cafeteria, about the size of two classrooms, limited the number of students who could eat together, and slowed down kitchen staff. The new dining room and kitchen enable the entire school to eat meals over three lunch periods, improving staff efficiency.  The old cafeteria has been converted into kindergarten classrooms.

Structural repairs were made to the existing school building, including exterior masonry repairs and roof replacement. In addition, the existing modular buildings were removed, and a new parking lot, turf field, landscaping and paving were added to the site. These site improvements have dual importance: expanding the play area for students and managing stormwater to prevent flooding of neighborhood homes.

“The Prussing annex brings the extra space and modern facilities necessary for students and students to focus on their education. Prussing students now have a space that matches the first-rate education they are earning.”

– 45th Ward Alderman John Arena

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #PrussingAnnex

View this project’s contract details here.

This project was included in the PBC’s 2018 Year in Review. Click here to view all the projects completed in 2018.