By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Grand Rapids Public Schools recently announced the completion of a $25 million renovation of Harrison Park Elementary and Harrison Park Middle Schools. The schools, which occupy a single circa 1925 building at 1440 Davis NW, opened the renovated elementary school portion last year. This year marks the completion of the middle school space.
The two schools occupy either end of the 162,000-square-foot building, with common areas and administrative offices situated between them. Construction crews were able to retain the building's historic charm, but demolished outdated portions and replaced them with state-of-the-art facilities.
"When the school was built, it was common to have separate gyms for the boys and girls," says David D. Smith, GRPS spokesperson. "We used one for the elementary cafeteria and one for the middle school cafeteria to create separate dining areas, but they share a kitchen."
The renovation includes two new gymnasiums, computer labs for each school, 50 high-tech classrooms, air conditioning, and a two-story lobby atrium.
"We expanded the windows to their original size," says Smith. "On any given day, you don't even need to turn on the classroom lights because there's this beautiful natural light filtering in."
On September 11, Harrison Park alumni from the 1940's and 1950's toured the new building. On Thursday, September 20, school officials will have a dedication ceremony and open house from 4 to 6 PM.
Source: David D. Smith, Grand Rapids Public Schools
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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