Thurston Elementary students and staff gathered Tuesday for a ceremonial groundbreaking that marks the beginning of a new chapter for the northeast Ann Arbor school.
With shovels in hand, Thurston students posed for photos outside in front of a detailed model of their future school building.
In the gym, representatives from the construction company took time to explain the building process to curious students, answering questions about everything from foundation work to the installation of playground equipment. They seemed especially impressed to hear there will be an elevator to the second floor.
The new building will rise north of the current structure on the 24.75-acre site at 2300 Prairie Street, allowing students to continue their education in the existing facility while their new school takes shape nearby.
The project is expected to take two years to complete.
The current building, a one-story masonry structure with brick veneer exterior, has served the neighborhood since 1963. Over the decades, the school has undergone at least two additions to accommodate growing enrollment and changing educational needs for its preschool through fifth-grade population.
The project stems from the Ann Arbor Public Schools 2019 bond initiative, which voters approved to modernize facilities throughout the district. The comprehensive improvement plan addresses aging infrastructure and evolving educational requirements across multiple school sites.
The nature area that currently exists on the Thurston campus will be preserved, ensuring that the outdoor learning opportunities remain intact.
The new school site will be built with environmental sustainability as a key focus, including a highly energy efficient building with geothermal loops, solar panels to generate electricity on site, use of low carbon materials, and a design that will enhance the indoor air quality, natural lighting and access to outdoor nature areas for learning and play.
Click here for the link to the new Thurston Elementary website.
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