Blue Ribbon Facilities: Three K-12 Projects in Lawrence

Posted on | by ssullivan

As curriculum changes and community needs evolve, K-12 school leaders are considering how to best configure, operate, and design their facilities.

In Indianapolis, the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township (MSDLT), Fanning Howey, and Powers & Sons Construction are staying ahead of the curve by ensuring local schools are strong, vibrant, and safe.

The team is working on three CMc projects valued at a combined $82 million. The effort is part of the district’s Blue Ribbon Facilities Plan, a multi-year capital construction and school improvement program.

Powers & Sons ensured construction zones in and around each school were safe, secure, and ready for the start of the 2023-24 academic year during a final push in late July. “I’m proud of our team. They went the extra mile,” notes Mamon Powers III, president of the firm’s Indianapolis office.

What’s on the drawing board for 2023? Here’s a quick take.

Belzer Middle School

  • Located on East 65th Street, our work at this school includes installing an underground retention system to accommodate a 16,000 SF new structural addition to house a multi-purpose area.
  • About 250,000 SF of new finishes, including cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and fixtures, are being installed in classrooms and offices.
  • Major interior renovations will improve the school’s existing media center, two gyms, a cafeteria, and a music area.
  • Exterior improvements focus on improving traffic circulation, safety, and parking. Work includes installing new sidewalks, restoring masonry and EFIS, and reconfiguring a parking lot.

Fall Creek Valley Middle School

  • This whole-school renovation on East 63rd Street also includes about 250,000 SF of new finishes and renovations to the school’s media center, gymnasia, cafeteria, and music area.
  • Classrooms and pods will be modified to create student maker spaces for each grade level.
  • Renovations to the existing softball and baseball fields will include new dugouts and a remodeled concessions building. A new soccer field will be added south of the baseball diamond.
  • New exterior features include an overhead entrance canopy. Sidewalks and parking lots will be improved. A new bus turn-around will be built and the main entrance drive will be reconfigured.

Work at Belzer Middle School and Fall Creek Valley Middle School began in July of 2023, with renovations at each school expected to be complete in July of 2025. Both facilities are open during construction.

Lawrence Education & Community Center (LECC)

  • This exterior renovation project includes improvements to existing parking lots, sidewalks, pedestrian bridges, tennis courts, and track.
  • Two new parking lots are being added to the site.
  • Updates are being made to existing PA, clock, and speaker systems inside the facility.
  • Final completion is expected in December of 2023.

The 2023 projects continue a multi-year improvement plan that Powers & Sons began in 2019. Earlier work included the construction of a new transportation center and major renovations at two elementary schools and three early learning centers.