From the Ground Up: Espy Elementary School multipurpose/safe room

Owner: Nixa Public Schools
General contractor: Crossland Construction Co. Inc.
Architect: Sapp Design Associates Architects PC
Engineers: Toth and Associates Inc., civil and structural, and True Engineering Group LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 4,500 square feet
Estimated cost: $2 million
Funding source: FEMA grant and district funds
Estimated completion: Nov. 2
Project description: A combination safe room and multipurpose room is nearing completion on the campus of Espy Elementary School in Nixa. The room has been built to comply with the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines for community safe rooms, which FEMA describes as a hardened structure designed to provide near-absolute life-safety protection in extreme wind events, including tornadoes. Todd Morrow, project manager at Crossland Construction, said the building is constructed from precast concrete walls and double-tee roof panels, structural steel framing and FEMA-approved windows and doors. Sapp Design’s website notes the addition also will function as a secondary gymnasium and multipurpose space, as well as a gathering place for community activities. It relieves overcrowding while providing more functional use of the school’s existing gym/cafeteria, according to Sapp Design.