McCarthy/Kwame Build U. City School

The School District of University City hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School building located at 1500 N. 82nd Boulevard in University City on April 30. Funded through Proposition U, a $53.6M bond issue passed in April of 2009, the two-story, 60,000-square-foot building will have 24 classrooms capable of accommodating up to 500 students, including specialized classrooms and specialty spaces that will enable students to do more exploratory work.

Construction was managed by a joint venture of McCarthy Building Companies and Kwame Construction, who exceeded minority participation on the project, achieving 30 percent overall participation. Bond Wolfe Architects designed both buildings.

Barbara C. Jordan Elementary, the first new University City school in more than 15 years, was built using green engineering practices and the district has applied for LEED certification, which will be determined following occupancy of the building. Enhanced day lighting and air quality will create a better learning environment for students while being respectful of the surrounding environment and resources. Environmentally conscious building elements include rain gardens, drought-tolerant landscaping, placement of windows to maximize daylight, a highly efficient HVAC system, and other features. Recycled materials were used when possible and practical.

Construction began in the fall of 2009 on the site of the previous building of the same name. Originally named Daniel Boone School, the District changed the name in 1996 to honor Barbara C. Jordan, the first African American woman from a southern state elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

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