Burroughs modernization, Phase II
Molly Shore
Indian territory is becoming a state-of-the-art learning facility.
John Burroughs High School’s Phase II construction includes a
total rehabilitation of the school’s main building fronting Clark
Avenue, as well as modernization of the Brian W. Hurst Gymnasium.
The work is proceeding without a hitch, said Chief Facilities and
Development Superintendent Ali Kiafar of the $12-million project.
“No question there are inconveniences the school has to deal with,
but ... it has gone very well,” Kiafar said.
Kiafar said he has asked the Bernards Bros. construction team to
be proactive regarding problems that might arise. If workers neglect
to install door stops, Kiafar wants the team to be certain the
discrepancy is spotted and corrected.
“I want these projects to be as close to having no problems as
possible,” Kiafar said.
While Phase I consisted wholly of new construction, Phase II is
mainly the reconfiguration and modernization of the existing
buildings, Kiafar said.
When completed, modern science labs and administration offices
will be housed on the first floor with refurbished classrooms on the
second floor of the main administration building. All rooms have
dual- pane windows, a feature that was debated for other school
buildings.
Closed for many years, the gym’s original entrance on Parish Place
is being reopened.
“I looked at the drawings and said, ‘This is a nice entrance.
Let’s see if we can bring it back,’” Kiafar said.
The work, taking place while school is in session, hasn’t
seriously disrupted studies, said Jay Gudzin, assistant principal of
athletics and activities, who is the school’s liaison with the
construction team.
“At the start of the project it was inconvenient, but we’ve been
doing it for so long, it’s changed from an inconvenience to something
we accept,” Gudzin said.
Construction is expected to be completed by early September in
time for the fall semester, Construction Site Manager Jeff Bernards
said.