From the Ground Up: York Elementary School

Owner/developer: Springfield Public Schools
General contractor: R.E. Smith Construction Co.
Architects: Paragon Architecture LLC and Sapp Design Associates Architects PC
Engineers: Toth and Associates Inc., civil and structural; Interpres Building Solutions LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing; Palmerton & Parrish Inc., geotechnical
Size: 54,000 square feet
Estimated cost: $21 million
Lender: None
Estimated completion: October 2022
Project description: Springfield Public Schools broke ground over the summer on the new York Elementary School. The project will enable the school to serve 300 students, said SPS spokesperson Teresa Bledsoe. The project timeline was moved up due to lower-than-expected costs on multiple projects funded by the $168 million Proposition S bond. Notable features of the new school, including a dedicated cafeteria, music instructional space, a community room and a safe room/gymnasium, are focused on improving security and accessibility, Bledsoe said. Students who live in the York attendance area are receiving free bus transportation to a temporary school building.