PBC Announces Three School Construction Contracts, Approves Robust Agenda

The Public Building Commission Board of Commissioners today approved more than $25 million in contracts to begin work on three elementary schools, two additions and one renovation of newly acquired school property on Chicago’s northwest side. The following school projects were approved to begin construction:

• Garvy Elementary, 5225 North Oak Park Avenue
• Sauganash Elementary, 6040 N. Kilpatrick Avenue
• New Marvin Camras Elementary, 3000 N. Mango Avenue

“Moving forward on these necessary school capital projects is the direct result of Chicago Public Schools, the PBC Board of Commissioners, elected officials and members of the community working together to bring new schools on line and improve existing facilities.” said Erin Lavin Cabonargi, Executive Director of the Public Building Commission. “The PBC’s mission is to build and renovate facilities that provide cornerstones for the community, and we are excited to begin this important work.”

Other board actions approved the issuance of six additional trade packages for the ongoing construction of Ogden Elementary School, located at 24 W. Walton Street on the city’s Near North Side, and the appointment of Bovis Lend Lease as Construction Manager at Risk for the new Jones College Prep High School planned for 606 S. State Street in the South Loop. Both Jones College Prep High School and Ogden Elementary School are part of Mayor Daley’s broader strategy to invest substantial capital in schools throughout Chicago.

The Board also approved requests from Chicago Public Schools to undertake $23.4 million of future renovation projects at:

• Collins High School, 1312 S. Sacramento Drive
• Chicago High School for the Arts, 2714 W. Augusta Boulevard
• Air Force Academy, 3630 S. Wells Street

In other business, the PBC board approved requests by the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools for the PBC to undertake the purchase of playground equipment for 28 schools and 2 parks, including:

• Columbia Explorers Academy, 4250 S. Kedzie Avenue
• Deneen Elementary School, 7240 S. Wabash Avenue
• Sherman Elementary School, 1000 W. 52nd Street
• New Azuela Elementary School, 4707 W. Marquette
• Bell Elementary School, 3730 N. Oakley Avenue
• Bethune Elementary School, 3030 W. Arthington Street
• New Calmeca Academy of Fine Arts & Dual Language, 3456 W. 38th Street
• New Marvin Camras Elementary School, 3000 N. Mango Avenue
• Curtis Elementary, 32 E. 115th Street
• Esmond Elemntary, 11865 W. Montvale Avenue
• Gray Elementary, 3730 N. Laramie Avenue
• Hefferan Elementary, 4409 W. Wilcox Street
• Holmes Elementary, 955 W. Garfield Boulevard
• Jordan Elementary, 7414 N. Wolcott Avenue
• Libby Elementary, 5300 S. Loomis Boulevard
• New Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary, 3231 N. Springfield Avenue
• Mays Academy, 838 W. Marquette Road
• McCormick Elementary, 2712 S. Sawyer Avenue
• Monroe Elementary, 3651 W. Shubert Avenue
• Morrill Elementary, 6011 S. Rockwell Street
• Morton Elementary, 431 N. Troy Street
• Nash Elementary, 4837 W. Erie Street
• Powell Elementary, 7511 South Shore Drive
• Prussing Elementary, 4650 N. Menard Avenue
• Shoop Elementary, 11140 S. Bishop Street
• Suder Montessori, 2022 W. Washington Boulevard
• Thorp Elementary, 8914 S. Buffalo Avenue
• New West Ridge Elementary, 6700 N. Whipple Street
• Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Sacramento Avenue
• Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Avenue

And the PBC Board undertook a project to design and construct a new Engine Company 16 Firehouse to be located at 3901 S. Wabash Avenue, and appointed Interactive Design, Inc. as the Architect of Record. The new facility will replace the existing single engine facility at 4005 S. Dearborn Street and allow multiple apparatus to be consolidated at this new house to better serve the citizens of the City.

The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Richard M. Daley serves as the PBC’s chairman. Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com.