PBC Announces Positive Results For City’s Modern Schools Across Chicago Initiative

The Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) today announced comprehensive results for the Modern Schools Across Chicago (MSAC) program which includes 17 new schools and 2 major school renovations.  The program will deliver a total of approximately 18,000 student seats and over 2.5 million square feet of program space in neighborhoods throughout the City of Chicago on time and under budget.

“This partnership is about far more than bricks and mortar. It is a partnership that provides state-of-the-art schools and creates environments that can boost student achievement,” said CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard. “PBC has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to deliver on time and within budget- key factors in our ability to upgrade our facilities and provide our students with the best possible opportunities for learning.”

The MSAC initiative, announced in late 2006, pursues an aggressive capital program that creates new school facilities and major renovation projects through an innovative funding strategy. At the time of this announcement, with no state capital funding available for over a decade, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and City of Chicago partnered to develop a capital program funded by both CPS General Obligation bonds and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) backed bonds.

The PBC has been given the authority to spend $1,077,013,735 on 19 MSAC projects. 14 projects are already complete and five projects are currently under development. As of June 14, 2011, the PBC is trending under budget by $117,401,782 or 10.90%, on these 19 projects.

More than 3,200 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs have been created as a result of the program. And, of the total construction contract value of approximately $715 million to date, currently 36.90% has been paid to minority-owned businesses and 5.05% has been paid to women-owned businesses.  Further, contract requirements have also generated over 280 community hires as a result of this program.

The PBC also reported positive results for environmental sustainability as a result of the MSAC program including diversion of construction waste from landfills; utilization of recycled materials in construction; green roofs; enhanced natural light; solar-powered features; high efficiency heating and cooling systems; low flow/low consumption water usage; responsible landscaping; and aggressive stormwater management.

All PBC projects are designed to achieve a minimum LEED “Silver” certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

New schools and renovations include:

• Miles Davis Academy, 6730 S. Paulina Street
• Langston Hughes Elementary School, 240 W. 104th Street
• Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School, 1260 W. Adams Street
• Irene C. Hernandez Middle School for the Advancement of Science, 3510 W. 55th Street
• Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy, 2231 N. Central Avenue
• Westinghouse High School, 3223 W. Franklin Boulevard
• Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School, 3231 N. Springfield Avenue
• Eric Solorio Academy High School, 5400 S. St. Louis Avenue
• Mariano Azuela Elementary School, 4707 W. Marquette Road
• Calmeca Academy of Fine Arts & Dual Language, 3456 West 38th Street
• West Ridge Elementary School, 6700 N. Whipple Street
• Marvin Camras Elementary School Renovation, 3000 N. Mango Avenue
• Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Paideia Academy, 7511 South Shore Drive
• South Shore Internationl College Prep High School, 1955 E. 75th Street
• Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy Additions, 250 E. 111th Street
• Ogden International School of Chicago, 24 W. Walton Street
• Brighton Park II Elementary School, 2611 W. 48th Street
• Southwest Area High School, 7651 S. Homan Avenue
• Back of the Yards High School, 2111 W. 47th Street

During the meeting David Vitale, President of the Board of Education, was sworn into the PBC Board of Commissioners.

The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Rahm Emanuel serves as the PBC’s chairman. Erin Lavin Cabonargi serves as the Executive Director of the PBC.  Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com.