funding secured to replace outdated school in colorado

After three previous failed attempts to pass a bond in a Commerce City school district that would be used to pay for a new elementary school, funding has come through at the state level for what will be a nearly $34 million project.

Officials with the Adams County School District have long been concerned about the declining condition of the one-story Alsup Elementary School, built in 1959.

Those concerns have not only centered on the kind of aging wiring, lighting, and sewerage system issues to be expected in a 59 year-old building, but also the fact that the building was not secure, with a front entrance not visible from the main office.

Now, plans to build a replacement school at the site of the district’s abandoned high school, about a mile to the south of the Alsup building, have won funding through Colorado’s Building Excellent Schools Together.

That $19.6 million grant will be matched with $14.2 million from the Adams County School District 14, half of which will come from the district’s owns funds, and the rest through the issuance of certificates of participation.

According to plans, the new school at 4525 E. 68th Avenue will measure just over 76,000 square feet and will be built to accommodate 600 students.

The new building will house collaborative space classrooms, a library, music room, art room, gymnasium, and offices.

District officials have said they may establish a local parents’ committee to help guide the project along, with work on the building hopefully beginning later this year.

A general construction schedule is calling for the facility to be completed in time for the fall 2020 school semester.

By Garry Boulard

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