New classrooms, spacious cafeteria among construction upgrades for Springfield, Ill., school

A $5 million construction project at a Springfield, Ill., middle school will increase cafeteria space and add classroom space, a teachers lounge and other offices. 

Students at Grant Middle School will also gain an outdoor dining patio along with an elevator that will make the school accessible to all, reports The State Journal-Register. The expanded cafeteria and patio will connect to the gymnasium

"This is just going to enhance the environment for the kids and the teachers and it's an investment in the school district," said principal Robb Schurman. "That speaks volumes when you have up-to-date facilities and buildings."

Work on the school, which is next to the Springfield district central offices, is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

Funding for the upgrades come from a 1 cent sales tax Sangamon County voters approved in 2018. Springfield schools are projected to reap about $10.1 million annually from the sales tax for facility upgrades or construction, safety improvements or to retire building bonds.

The general contractor is Johnco Construction, and the project architect is Melotte, Morse, Leonatti, Parker, Ltd.