Let there be light. Lots of natural light streaming into Fowler High School through new windows and skylights and through a prominent new main entrance. Syracuse city and school district officials got an update Thursday on the new look for Fowler and three other schools that are scheduled to be reconstructed starting this school year. Fowler will get lots...
This drawing shows the new, main entrance proposed for Fowler High School. It would be part of a three-story addition and face Seymour and Magnolia Streets.
View full sizeThis is what the entrance to Fowler High School, in Syracuse, looks like now.Let there be light.
Lots of natural light streaming into Fowler High School through new windows and skylights and through a prominent new main entrance.
Syracuse city and school district officials got an update Thursday on the new look for Fowler and three other schools that are scheduled to be reconstructed starting this school year. Fowler will get lots of new windows and skylights, architects said.
Fowler’s most distinguishing feature is its lack of windows. Its main entrance on Magnolia looks like a back door. The new entrance will be part of a three-story addition and the front door will face Seymour and Magnolia streets.
The other three schools are Dr. Weeks Elementary, H.W. Smith K-8 and the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central. The work at Dr. Weeks and H.W. Smith is contingent on finding temporary space to relocate students during construction. The district wants to move students to the former Syracuse Developmental Center, but the lease deal isn’t complete yet.
Tech Central students will move to the former Levy School. Fowler students will stay put during construction.
All of the projects are striving to earn “LEED silver” certification for high energy efficiency. Some of the work could change depending on the actual cost of the project when bids are received. The final plans still need approval from the state Department of Education but they got the thumbs up Thursday from the school board.
Here are highlights of the renovations as presented by project architects:
Fowler High School
Address: 227 Magnolia St.
Estimated cost: $48.6 million
Projected start date: March
Major improvements: Three-story addition on the south side, including a new library and administrative offices; new mechanical systems; distinct spaces for the four academies into which students are divided; improved landscaping; and separate parking for the health clinic.
Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central
Address: 258 E. Adams St.
Estimated cost: $29.2 million
Projected start date: March
Major improvements: An addition on the southeast side facing East Adams Street to include a full basketball court and seating for 500 plus spectators; new main entrance, in the addition, where Montgomery Street ends; new library; and spiffed up exterior to mesh with the historic Greystone Building next door.
H.W. Smith Elementary
Address: 1130 Salt Springs Road
Estimated cost: $26.2 million
Projected start date: April
Major improvements: Two-story addition at the south side of the building; new roof and exterior doors, new windows; a new library, more than double the current space, located in what is now unfinished space partially below the auditorium.
Dr. Weeks Elementary
Address: 710 Hawley Ave.
Estimated cost: $28 million
Projected start date: February
Major improvements: The academic wing will be gutted and rebuilt — no more “ open concept,” classrooms will all be enclosed; more windows; space for support services, including resource, conference and reading rooms, two computer classrooms; totally reconfigured library media center; and three new playgrounds.
Contact Maureen Nolan at 470-2185 or mnolan@syracuse.com.