As students file out of classrooms for summer break, school campuses will become the epicenter for an abundance of seasonal construction projects. This summer the projects are likely to be large. School officials were recently notified that the federal government has now made another $500 million grant program available to school campuses. This most recent funding was allocated to address infrastructure needs, and because it is another addition to the multimillions already allocated for school districts, the results should be rather incredible.

Infrastructure modernization includes all types of projects – energy upgrades, technology implementations, campus security, cybersecurity, and even new facilities. Ultimately, the projects should improve safety, lower operational costs, facilitate additional classrooms, upgrade labs, enhance gymnasiums or sports facilities, and provide the technology required to foster the curiosity and intellectual development of future generations. Some have ventured to say that current funding for school districts, from a multitude of different sources, represents a historic high point and the projects that result will change lives and restructure entire communities throughout the U.S.

In the city of Toledo, Iowa, officials at the state, municipal, and district levels will collaborate on a $26.8 million effort to relocate the South Tama Middle School. The project’s objective is to facilitate adaptive re-use of the state-owned Iowa Juvenile Home facility. It has been vacant since 2014 and its renovation includes an expansion to accommodate the district’s needs. The remediation and subsequent demolition phases will go out to bid later this year.

A multi-phase plan to renew facilities across Michigan’s Holland Public School District is already underway. Voters approved a $74 million bond proposal that includes funding for remodeling both Holland Middle School and Holland High School. Numerous areas that will be upgraded as a part of the renovation include cafeterias, common areas, and outdoor spaces. Another $41.4 million is available for the second planned phase of work, which will include partial reconstruction of two elementary schools in the district.

Officials in the Lincoln County School District of Missouri budgeted $37 million for renovation, expansion, and new construction work across the district’s various school campuses. To address growth, an eighth elementary school will be constructed. The Troy South Middle School campus also will be expanded to accommodate six additional classrooms. Finally, funding is allocated for a remodel of the New Horizons High School facility. That project will not only expand the high school’s programming capacity but will also enhance its security resources.

Ohio’s Manchester School District is coordinating with state planning officials for a $34 million investment in school improvement projects. Additional oversight and funding from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission will support the launch of a district-wide sequence of school improvement projects. A new high school will be constructed, an existing facility will be renovated and restructured as an elementary school, and two other educational facilities will be demolished. Renovation work on the existing high school building will take place at about the same time. All projects are scheduled for completion by the end of summer 2024.

In Fulton County, Georgia, a five-year sales tax will generate an estimated total of $860 million which will be used for upcoming school projects. The funding will be used for projects outlined in the school district’s master plan. A few of the projects include preliminary planning to replace the district’s aging North Spring High School facility, a roof replacement for a middle school, and a major renovation of a charter school in the district.

In Virginia, a massive amount of funding is available for 14 improvement projects in Fairfax County. Over the next five years, a total of $360 million will be available for renovation work. Projects include a $130 million renovation effort at Falls Church High School, a $38 million renovation of Bonnie Brae Elementary School, $31 million to update Crossfield Elementary School and approximately $37 million for improvements at Louise Archer Elementary School.

The Wake County Public School System in North Carolina plans to direct $274.4 million in funding to construction of new school facilities and an additional $92.2 million for major renovations to existing facilities. Over half of the sum designated for renovation work is committed to North Garner Middle School. That project will have a $52.1 million funding allocation to expand the school’s classroom capacity, construct a new running track, and make other improvements. Additionally, $60 million is earmarked for construction of the county’s new Pleasant Plains Elementary School. A similar funding allocation will be used for construction of the county’s new Bowling Road Elementary School. Design work is underway for a longer-term project to build a new $152.3 million Felton Grove High School to open in August 2025 with a capacity of 2,223 students.

The city of Burlington, Vermont, is in the preliminary design stage of a plan to construct a new high school facility. Local school officials are reviewing five different design plans — all of which have estimated costs in the range of $200 million. A $29 million demolition and environmental remediation phase will clear the site of the existing structures before construction of the new facility begins.

School district campuses are highly valued public assets. There is little disagreement about the importance educational resources. Students at every educational level represent the country’s future scientists, engineers, researchers, technology professionals, physicians, and elected officials. The upgrades, modernizations, and enhancements that will be possible because of the funding will result in thousands of collaborative initiatives that will in turn create jobs, stimulate regional economies, and build stronger communities.

Mary Scott Nabers is president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc., a business development company specializing in government contracting and procurement consulting throughout the U.S. Her recently released book, Inside the Infrastructure Revolution: A Roadmap for Building America, is a handbook for contractors, investors and the public at large seeking to explore how public-private partnerships or joint ventures can help finance their infrastructure projects.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Last May, Linda and Mike Mussallem stood in the sunshine outside a renovated and expanded student union at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to cut the ribbon on this major campus enhancement. The project would not have been possible without their support: the Mussallems provided the $9 million lead gift for the $25 million project.

The institute recently announced an additional $1.5 million gift from the Mussallems to provide an adjacent pavilion for outdoor dining and gatherings with sliding glass doors around the perimeter and plants on the roof. Situated just a stone’s throw from where the couple helped dedicate Mussallem Union also known as “The Muzz,” the pavilion will provide seating for 40-50 people and be usable nearly year-round, allowing for protection from the elements during cooler months and the ability to enjoy the outdoors via open walls during warmer weather.

The Mussallems’ newest gift will cover design, construction and equipment costs for the free-standing pavilion that will complement the nearby student center and White Chapel. The structure also will have audio-visual equipment for multimedia presentations, including student movie nights and other gatherings. Included in the project will be an outdoor grill for use during student events.

Sustainable green space filled with plants will cover a portion of the building’s roof and will be visible from the second floor of the Mussallem Union. This provides continuity with the large living wall that serves as a featured focal point in The Muzz consisting of potted tropical plants that provides a soothing atmosphere for students in the Hulman Living Room.

“We’re grateful that Linda and Mike continue to share our vision for enhancing the overall student experience,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “The gleaming new student union has already exceeded all of our expectations for providing students with relaxation and socialization space, and healthy dining options. The place is busy at all hours; students love hanging out there. This new pavilion will extend those benefits and ensure that our students — who work extremely hard — have the spaces they need to unwind and recharge with their friends.”

The pavilion was designed by RATIO Architects of Indianapolis, which also designed the student union project. Construction of the outdoor structure is expected to begin this spring with completion in time for dedication at Rose-Hulman’s homecoming in October.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — High-tech labs and facilities are now part of the fast-growing College of Health and Human Services at Indiana State University (ISU) in Terre Haute. The university unveiled Phase I of the new facility on Dec. 15 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Ratio Architects, based out of Indianapolis, was the architecture firm chosen for the project, with locally based Hannig Construction serving as the general contractor. Construction on the facility project began in July 2016, with a budget of $64 million, making it the largest state-funded project in ISU’s history.

The project includes an 87,000-square-foot expansion to house new academic programs, and the new building will be ready for occupancy in spring 2018. The facility connects multiple departments including the schools of Nursing, the school of Social Work, Applied Health Science as well as and Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sports.

One of ISU’s goals for the new facility is to help its approximately 3,500 students enrolled in the College of Health and Human Services aim for higher paying, high-demand healthcare careers. The new facility is fitted with smart classrooms, new labs and the latest technology to facilitate learning and collaboration among disciplines needed throughout the state. In addition, interior spaces have been reconfigured to enable academic programs to function more efficiently.

Major upgrades will also improve temperature control and air quality in the building, as many of the mechanical, electrical and lighting systems that exist in the building are original and have been extended well past normal expected life cycles, according to the 2015 to 2017 ISU operational/capital budget executive summary.

“Inter-professional education is key to improvements in healthcare, and we truly are at the forefront of that at Indiana State,” said Dan Bradley, president of ISU at the ribbon-cutting, according to a recent statement. “In addition to the impact the facility will have on our students and local and state workforce, it will dramatically transform the appearance of our campus from Third Street and create a new main entrance to Indiana State.”

Phase I of the project includes an outpatient clinic, nursing simulation and skills labs, a biomechanics center, exercise physiology, therapeutic and neuro labs and applied health science and motor skills labs. In addition, it includes two 150-person lecture halls, space for physical education and training,faculty offices, graduate research suites and a wellness garden.

Following the completion of Phase I in the spring, Phase II will begin, which will provide a comprehensive rehabilitation of ISU’s aquatic and hydrotherapy pools and will expand the existing north gym to include an eight-lane regulation indoor competition track. In addition, a renovation of classrooms and labs in the existing 1960s-arena building will take place.

Phase II will also feature a four-story glass atrium with an abundance of lounge space as well as a two-story open walkway that will run east-west across the building. The new atrium will provide an abundance of natural light for the building as well as open spaces for better interaction and collaboration for students, according to Bryan Duncan, director of capital planning and improvements at ISU in a recent article with the Tribune Star.

The completion of the many improvements and upgrades of Phase II are expected by spring 2019.

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