Architects outline multi‑phase plan for Bettendorf Middle School renovation, estimate sits above district target

Bray Architects and Russell Construction gave the Bettendorf Community School District board a detailed design and sequencing update on a multi‑phase renovation of the district middle school, explaining why the work will require a summer of mass demolition and a phased reconnection of hallways.

The architects said the board previously asked for three viable options; after design development the team advanced an Option B variant that was pared back from an earlier concept to lower costs. "We tried to whittle it away so that we could get it to $28,000,000," an architect said, but the closest estimate reached about $34,000,000.

The project is organized in multiple phases. The team described a phase 0 completed last summer for preparatory work; phase 1 is an addition at the back of the building (currently under construction) that also will serve as a storm shelter and contains preparatory electrical and mechanical rooms. Heavy demolition of the building’s middle — described in presentation visuals as the dashed green area — is planned for summer 2026 once students and most staff are out of the building.

Carrie of Bray Architects described design choices intended to improve circulation and supervision: corridors will be reconfigured so there are fewer lockers in main corridors, wider, taller hallways and a new STEM corridor, and restrooms will be individual‑stall rooms with full ceilings and improved hand‑washing stations. "This is also your storm shelter," she said, noting that shelter requirements affect build sequencing and duration.

Russell Construction staff described current site progress and construction sequencing: masonry walls on the new addition were recently topped out, underground utilities are complete in places, and interior prep work over spring and selective breaks is aimed at minimizing disruption during the school year. "For the summer, we will not have any staff in the building," a Russell representative said. The firm plans hard barriers, new circulation patterns and a phased approach to connect new and renovated wings.

Board members and attendees asked for clarifications on cafeteria size (an architect estimated the addition would add "almost 1,000 square feet" but cautioned: "Don't quote me exactly on that"), ceiling heights (roughly three feet higher in places), and the relocation of nurse and front‑office functions to improve visitor flow and security.

Next steps: the designers will continue design work for phases 2–4, meet biweekly with district staff, and return to the board with an update at the July meeting. The presenters also offered a potential on‑site tour of phase 1 before further demolition.

The presentation did not include a final contract vote; the board received the update and directed staff to continue coordination and community communication ahead of the heavy summer work.