Story

Triangle Associates, Inc. has broken ground for the new Hall Elementary, which will be named Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School. The facility is located at the intersection of Hall and Grandville on the southwest side of Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids Public Schools had $11.5 million in cost savings during the first phase of a bond campaign approved by voters in 2004, allowing the district to add reconstruction of Hall Elementary to a long list of projects.

The $8.95 million project includes 62,000 square feet of construction. The new school will be energy-efficient and will have larger classrooms, team rooms for collaboration, state-of-the-art library and fine arts rooms, air conditioning, a lunchroom separate from the gymnasium and a rooftop garden.

Triangle Associates, Inc. built the original Hall Street Elementary School in 1955 and is now tearing the project down to make way for the brand new facility. The facility is scheduled for a September 2009 completion.

Some of the unique features:

• A design based on color, texture, climate, and community
• Large Classrooms with plenty of space for learning and team rooms for collaboration
• State of the art Media Center, Computer Lab, Music, and Art
• A flexible Cafeteria space separate from the Gym
• Administration area with excellent supervision of main entry
• A rooftop garden area on third floor
• Air conditioning and abundant natural light for improved student comfort
• Energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems for operational savings
• LEED certified features in Site, Energy, Water, Materials, and IAQ