Davenport (Iowa) district breaks ground on middle school building

The Davenport (Iowa) district has broken ground on a new building for Sudlow Middle School.

WQAD-TV reports that the new facility will rise near the original building; the oldest section of the school, built in 1919, will be torn down. The upgraded campus will be called Sudlow Middle School and Creative Arts Academy.

"What we wanted to do was incorporate the older aspects of the building with the new construction and bring a modern view," Davenport Superintendent TJ Schneckloth says. 

The upgrades and additions will create space for Sudlow Middle to accommodate 6th graders in the building.

The project is expected to be complete in two years. The total cost is nearly $62 million.

Bray Architects, which has designed the project, says each grade (6-8) will have a dedicated level in the new three-story educational wing that will house core classes. Each level will be split into two houses, providing students a “home base” for core classes.

The building will have three main areas: academics, arts, and events (athletics) with a new and expanded office, kitchen, cafeteria, and library. 

Other features include additional gym space to better support the increased building population, improved site safety, and outdoor spaces for student activities.