Pepper Construction outlines phased plan for multi-school renovations and North addition

Pepper Construction and district staff updated the District 62 board on the district's multi-school construction program and highlighted a design change for the North addition that would create a dedicated kindergarten suite and reduce the addition's footprint by reconfiguring the cafeteria.

Alan, the district design lead, described benefits of a kindergarten suite (shared entrance, dedicated washrooms, breakout spaces) and said the change frees up internal space and improves safety by moving the cafeteria toward the service side of the building. He noted the Des Plaines fire department prefers circulation around the building and that the revised layout helps meeting that need.

Kirk Buecke of Pepper Construction presented a high-level schedule: administrative office relocation work is targeted for the upcoming summer, additions and elementary renovations will follow, and the district expects to bid work by package to achieve economies of scale. Buecke and staff warned that civil permitting will be a critical path item because the site is near a flood line; the district may need to raise new building floors slightly to satisfy permitting and floodplain concerns.

Staff also said they are preparing an environmental study on the Catholic Charities building that sits on the north project site; the study will determine whether asbestos or other hazards require abatement prior to mass demolition and permitting. If the report clears the site, demolition and staging could occur this spring, followed by phased construction. District staff and Pepper said they will return in March with location-specific cost estimates and bid results.