Complete Overhaul for Rhode Island Elementary School

By Eric Althoff

CRANSTON, R.I.—General contractor Dimeo Construction Company will be working in concert with designer Fielding International on a new educational facility for Garden City Elementary School.

Demolition of the existing school, encompassing 33,000 square feet of space, is the first phrase of the work. With the site cleared, construction can then commence on the new 85,000-square-foot building, which will be able to host nearly 600 students. The new building will feature classrooms, a cafeteria, gymnasium and performance area.

In addition to the buildout itself, the contractor will be making improvements to areas of student ingress, outdoor activity areas, planting trees as well as upgrading the school’s parking. Other improvements include installing a new generator that will upgrade the school’s electrical and gas components. In rain-prone New England, additional work will entail upgrading the school’s stormwater runoff.

The design has been envisioned with sustainability in mind, such that environmental impact will be kept to a minimum.

The bulk of construction is expected to commence sometime early in 2023.