Willard Central Elementary School safe room and additions

General contractor: RE Smith Construction Co. (Joplin)
Size: 18,300 square feet
Estimated cost: $8.2 million
Estimated completion: August
Project description: This safe room is also a classroom addition to be used by the music, arts and athletic programs due to growth in the school’s enrollment. A new bus and parent drop-off entryway to access the school and parking lot also addresses a need for safety when loading and unloading students, according to project officials. The project architect is Paragon Architecture LLC, and engineers are Olsson Inc., civil; Toth and Associates Inc., structural; and RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.