School board awards bid for Hillcrest upgrades

Branco Enterprises will lead the project, which was designed by St. Louis firm Bond Wolfe Architects. Plans call for new science and technology labs, a renovation of old lab space into classrooms, new areas for student services, and safety and security upgrades.

Construction will start this month and should take a year to complete, according to a school district news release. Officials say the project remains on target with its estimated $5.75 million cost.

Hillcrest is among 25 projects throughout the district being funded by a $96.5 million bond initiative approved by Springfield voters in April 2006. Projects include the installation of air conditioning at 18 schools, upgrades to nine schools and a new southwest district elementary school that will be built at the corner of Golden Avenue and Weaver Road.