Inaugural issue! PGCPS Blueprint Schools News & Updates

PGCPS Blueprint Schools News & Updates

Issue #1 | July 2021

Welcome to the first issue of PGCPS Blueprint Schools News and Updates! There’s a lot of excitement around the launch of this monthly newsletter that contains updates on progress of the design and construction of six new state state-of-the-art PGCPS middle schools - Adelphi, Hyattsville, Drew-Freeman, Kenmoor, and Walker Mill and the new Southern Area K-8 Academy.

Through this newsletter you'll also get updates on the Blueprint Schools community investment initiative that includes contract opportunities, scholarships, jobs, internships, and community assets provided to Prince George’s County, Maryland residents! For more information about the program, please visit www.pgcpsblueprintschools.org

Groundbreakings

On June 28 through 30, 2021, the Blueprint Schools Program held groundbreaking ceremonies for each new school in celebration of the start of construction. Speakers included Maryland Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, County Council Chair Calvin Hawkins, PGCPS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson, PGCPS Board Chair Dr. Juanita Miller, and other elected officials, principals, students, community stakeholders, and program leaders.

Attendees shared in the excitement of breaking ground on the construction and delivery of the modernized school buildings our students deserve! View event photos HERE.

Design Updates

Blueprint Schools designs have advanced. Check out our progress!

This Spring, PGCPS approved the advancement of the Blueprint Schools from Schematic Design (or 35% Construction Documents) to 65% Construction Documents.

All school project designs have been modified to reflect the requirements and preferences of the district and each school community.

The six schools went through the Mandatory Referral process consisting of hearings before the Prince George’s County Planning Board of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The Planning Board approved all applications with recommendations for the Program’s consideration.

Construction Updates

Construction has begun! All six schools are officially in the hands of the design-build team, led by Gilbane Building Company. Below is a construction update at-a-glance:*

ADELPHI AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL
Utility Disconnection: COMPLETE
Fencing: COMPLETE
Building Demolition: END OF JULY
Site Surveying & LOD: COMPLETE
Clearing & Grading: EARLY AUGUST
Abatement: N/A
Erosion & Sediment Control: END OF JULY

DREW-FREEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Utility Disconnection: COMPLETE
Fencing: COMPLETE
Building Demolition: END OF AUGUST
Site Surveying & LOD: COMPLETE
Clearing & Grading: LATE JULY
Abatement: JULY - AUGUST
Erosion & Sediment Control: END OF JULY

HYATTSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Utility Disconnection: COMPLETE
Fencing: COMPLETE
Building Demolition: EARLY AUGUST
Site Surveying & LOD: COMPLETE
Clearing & Grading: EARLY AUGUST
Abatement: JULY - AUGUST
Erosion & Sediment Control: END OF JULY

KENMOOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Utility Disconnection: N/A
Fencing: COMPLETE
Building Demolition: N/A
Site Surveying & LOD: COMPLETE
Clearing & Grading: EARLY AUGUST
Abatement: N/A
Erosion & Sediment Control: END OF JULY

SOUTHERN AREA K-8 ACACEMY
Utility Disconnection: N/A
Fencing: JULY - AUGUST
Building Demolition: N/A
Site Surveying & LOD: EARLY AUGUST
Clearing & Grading: LATE AUGUST
Abatement: N/A
Erosion & Sediment Control: END OF JULY

WALKER MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Utility Disconnection: N/A
Fencing: COMPLETE
Building Demolition: N/A
Site Surveying & LOD: COMPLETE
Clearing & Grading: EARLY AUGUST
Abatement: N/A
Erosion & Sediment Control: END OF JULY

*Please note: Construction timeframes shown are subject to change.
Click HERE to submit questions or concerns regarding Blueprint School Program construction in your neighborhood.

Our Blueprint Schools Partner, Prince George’s County Education and Community Partners (PGCECP) have committed to leveraging opportunities for county residents to include MBE/CBB/CBSB contracts, workforce opportunities, internships and apprenticeships, scholarships, and community assets. Each issue of the newsletter will highlight their community investments.

We interviewed Martins Cobham, an intern this Summer with Gilbane Building Company working on the Blueprint Schools program.

What is your background? I am a rising Junior at the University of Maryland College Park majoring in Economics. Prior to this internship, I interned at an international trade company focusing on client relations and business management.

What led you to intern with Gilbane? Construction, from a marketing aspect, interests me. During the pandemic, I noticed that while other businesses closed, construction projects did not and that resonated with me. Several of my family members have a construction background which also makes me interested in the field.

What does your role encompass? My internship is with the program’s pre-construction team, shadowing their business development unit.

What excites you most about the internship? It is very exciting to learn about the estimating and financing processes of construction as well as how projects are sustained financially despite external/internal challenges.

What do you hope to accomplish from this internship? Overall, I hope to gain a general understanding of construction, how it has changed, and how it is changing. I also hope to gain a fuller understanding of project financing and financial sustainability.

Being part of Gilbane is a dream come true as it puts me on a path of professional development that I believe will be immensely advantageous. I am fortunate enough to be part of a project that will help me bring value to the teams I'll be part of and positively impact our community. I'm certain that my experience with Gilbane will bestow me with a lifetime of lessons and mentorship.