Trust demonstrated by voters in the February, 2009, election has placed the students of Mill Street Elementary in what will certainly prove to be a far more positive learning environment. Mill Street School has been transformed from a facility that once taught students in corridors to a place that now has adequate classrooms for all instruction. We have also provided the increased space necessary for serving hot lunches, as well as improved space for physical education.
On August 19, 2009, students were greeted by a facility that has been transformed into a warm and inviting learning environment, rich in both color and light. This transformation happened through the efforts of the principal, teaching staff and parents who put in countless hours of work to provide our consultants with the necessary information to construct a place of learning. That effort is a testament to the dedicated people of our District.
On October 19, a dedication ceremony was held to celebrate the new Mill Street Elementary School. Following the celebration, the District 203 Board of Education held its monthly business meeting in the new multi-purpose room.
The information below describes the process of creating the "new" Mill Street School.
What will Mill Street Elementary School look like after the
renovation and additions?
A virtual 360-degree video tour of the new Mill Street Elementary School exterior can be viewed below. Mac users may need additional free software to view Windows Media Player audio/video; see the Software page for links.
Progress Updates
August, 2009
Exterior and interior building/remodeling is complete. Classrooms are furnished in readiness for the first day of school.
School office staff moved into their new quarters on August 4.
Paving on the southeast parking lot and bus drop-off is complete.
Landscaping work is ongoing and will continue after school begins. Much of the sod is in place.
The playground has been completed.
The fascia was replaced in the preexisting section in the front of the building, creating a unified architectural look.
Drywall and painting are complete on the kindergarten addition. Flooring should be complete by the end of the month. Casework will begin near the end of the month.
Flooring has begun on the administrative addition and casework is scheduled for completion by the end of the month.
In the gym/multipurpose addition, vinyl tile flooring installation has begun. Ceiling tile has been installed. Basketball hoops and folding lunch tables will be installed.
Painting, ceiling, flooring and cabinetry work in the renovation area are in progress.
All HVAC units are in place and all plumbing is stubbed out.
The water main is tested, chlorinated and flushed.
Retention pond is complete.
Metal fascia work is complete; front entrance canopy framing, roof deck and masonry are complete. Trim, lighting and painting are in progress. Lighting will accentuate the underside of the canopy at night.
Many of the north side sidewalks are installed and landscaping has begun on the north and east sides.
Curbs are complete except for a small section on the north side: parking lot pavement will begin.
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sprinker installation and drywall work continue, and final finishes are being installed.
Interior renovation work began the first week of June and has been completed.
Asbestos abatement is scheduled to begin soon after the last day of school.
Demolition of the existing parking lot and excavation for the additional lot bus drop-off began. The mobile classroom has been relocated to Naperville Central High School and grading has started on the east side of the building.
The old playground has been removed and new equipment begins to be installed.
Boring for a new water service began under Mill Street.
Roof trim on the gym/multipurpose addition is complete and rooftop heating and air conditioning units have been started up.
Exterior masonry, concrete stairs and roof shingles are complete.
Drywall installation has begun and is nearing completion in the administrative addition. Wall and ceiling surfaces of the gym, stage and multipurpose rooms have been primed.
Exterior windows and doors have been installed.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors continue to make progress in all additions.
Duct work and sprinkler installation are in progress and entrance aluminum and glazing and plumbing fixtures are being installed in the gym/multipurpose addition. Metal exterior doors were painted.
Wiring is being installed to the electrical panels.
During Spring Break, the City of Naperville moved an electrical transformer and asbestos abatement work was completed, ahead of the summer renovation.
Most major trade contractors are now working on-site. In the Kindergarten addition, metal stud wall framing is complete; mechanical duct work and fire sprinkler lines are 90% complete.
In the Administrative addition, metal stud wall framing and mechanical duct work are almost complete and sprinkler lines are in progress.
In the Gym/Multipurpose addition, mechanical duct work is 50% complete. Toilet room plumbing piping and electrical main conduit are complete.
Masonry work and the roof enclosure are almost complete on the entire project. All concrete has been poured.
Electrical work has begun. Windows for the new addition have been received.
The Mill Street School project is coming under budget at $6.7 million.
Roof decking, insulation and roofing were applied to the Kindergarten and Administrative areas. The steel contractor also installed roof decking in the Multipurpose addition and the mason continued building the concrete masonry walls for the stage.
Floor slabs were poured and stud walls began to be installed.
The gas line roof installation was completed.
Brick facing was completed on the Administrative addition and is in progress on the Gym/Multipurpose addition.
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning duct work was installed in the Administrative addition and begun on the Gym/Multipurpose addition.
Underground plumbing is complete in the Gym/Multipurpose addition.
In the Kindergarten addition, preliminary sprinkler rough-in is complete.
Modifications to the existing building at the Administrative addition prepared for extended masonry work and ultimately new beams to the roof.
Contractors began to install door frames.
The mason proceeded with the enclosure for concrete masonry at the Gym/Multipurpose addition and continued with concrete masonry and brick construction.
Asbestos abatement activities were completed prior to students returning from Winter Break.
The mason completed the installation of concrete masonry units at the Administrative addition and began the enclosure for concrete masonry at the Gym/Multipurpose addition.
Steel lintels were received by Lamp, which allowed wall installation to continue.
Wight prepared material boards which incorporated finishes and colors previously reviewed.
Naperville School District 203 and Wight & Company held a groundbreaking celebration for Mill Street Elementary School on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. District 203 Board members, elected officials, students, staff, volunteers, community members and representatives from architectural firm Wight & Company and construction manager Lamp Incorporated were in attendance.
"I want to thank the people who put in the time, and I want to thank the community for making this investment, because this is the most important investment we can make," said Board of Education President Suzyn Price, while pointing to the students. "This is an investment in our future."
"This a very exciting time we are entering," noted Superintendent Dr. Alan Leis. "Will there be challenges along the way? Most likely, but we have every confidence in the process and the people involved. I can’t wait to see the looks on the faces of our students, parents and staff when they see the finished product!"
Speaking on behalf of Mill Street students, fourth-grader Christopher Danner noted that "We have a lot to celebrate! We'll have a new gym, new multipurpose room and eventually a new playground. We're also getting new offices and classrooms, and just in time, too, because we already have a lot of first-graders."
Students outlined the perimeter of the new addition with pennants on wooden dowel rods that read "Let's dig in!" Students and staff took a turn at tossing black dirt with shiny new shovels, while wearing bright yellow plastic hard hats.
Other items from September:
The District received approval from the City of Naperville Plan Commission on September 3, 2008, for subdivision plot consolidation and variances for revised right-of-way along Mill Street.
Wight and the City neared completion on the storm water review. Wight waited for comments from the City on one area of discussion.
Wight met with Mill Street School staff regarding colors and materials.
Building the Future
Speaking on behalf of Mill Street students, fourth-grader Christopher Danner noted that "We have a lot to celebrate! We'll have a new gym, new multipurpose room and eventually a new playground. We're also getting new offices and classrooms, and just in time, too, because we already have a lot of first-graders."