Mars Elementary project to be completed early 2027
ADAMS TWP — As construction continues on the $21.4 million Mars Area Elementary School expansion, district residents can expect the project to be completed some time during the spring semester.
A presentation on project updates given at the Tuesday, Aug. 11, school board meeting showed construction of all additions to the existing building will be completed by “January/February 2027,” a month or two later than previously reported. Work to convert the existing cafeteria/kitchen into a STEAM classroom is scheduled to take place between January and March 2027.
“We are a little bit behind from what we anticipated at this point with the site work and the building,” said Carrie Crawford, of Thomas & Williamson Project Management, noting weather has not always been cooperative.
Crawford said at Tuesday’s board meeting crews have recently completed construction of all retaining walls and the elevator shaft for the school’s new three-story classroom wing. Work on waterproofing and damp proofing was also completed. Crawford said workers have begun the installation of foundation drainage piping.
Crews recently relocated excess soil for the realignment of the Doc’s Way access road, which connects Three Degree Road and the elementary school, and a future parking area.
They have also have milled and graded the school’s main parking lot, driveway, the Little Dipper access road connecting the elementary and primary school and a portion of Doc’s Way in preparation for paving, Crawford said.
The Little Dipper road was also widened to 33 feet to better accommodate increased traffic on the road.
In the next few weeks, crews are expected to finish all foundations and structural walls as well as installation of underground utilities and waterproofing in the school’s new kitchen and cafeteria addition.
“For the site, complete the underground storm, water and electrical utilities, all of which, the storm is completed at this point. Water, we just have to tie in where it comes in directly to the building at this point. Electrical utilities, we’re probably about 80% completed at this point,” Crawford said.
Efforts to complete the elementary school continue as renovations to Mars Area Centennial School are also likely to happen. That project is currently awaiting selection of an architect.
Site analysis for the centennial school project is likely to start in June, with hopes the job can be put out to bid in January of 2027. School officials expect that project to be completed by June 2028.
Two building options have been presented, while the original project cost of $18.5 million has risen to about $20 million.
