City of Providence invests $44 million to rebuild Spaziano Elementary School Annex from the ground up
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined Providence City Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7), Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green, Providence Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez, Providence Public Property Director Demo Roberts and community members to break ground on the reconstruction of the Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School Annex. Demolition of the existing Spaziano Annex begins this week and construction of a new building will begin this summer.
“In Providence, we continue to prioritize investments in the buildings in which our city’s students learn and grow,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Together with the community, we have created an ambitious five-year School Capital Plan for up to $278 million in improvements, the largest investment approved by the State for a district in history, to support innovative learning environments with learning communities for fitness, arts and science. I am excited to join partners today as we break ground on a brand-new school building where Providence children can succeed from cradle to career.”
The City’s $44 million renovation project was designed in coordination with the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE) School Building Authority, with construction work being completed by O&G Industries. The new four-level school project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023 and will feature classrooms for Pre-K through fifth grade, specialized education classrooms, art and STEM rooms, a cafeteria, a gymnasium and outdoor play areas. The facility will total 85,000 square feet and have a student capacity of 684.
“Building safe, new schools, is simply good government,” said Council President John Igliozzi. “This brand-new building replaces a school built in 1950 and will serve as a reminder that we continue to value education in Silver Lake and across Providence. I hope we create a positive learning environment here for generations of children.”
“The transformation Spaziano Elementary School Annex will undergo represents the future of schools and education in Providence,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Once it is completely rebuilt, this school will offer brand new spaces such as a gymnasium, auditorium, media center and cafeteria, and include key educational spaces for Pre-K-5, STEAM and special education programs. This investment sends a clear message to students and families that we care about them, and that we are committed to ensuring excellence in learning as part of the Turnaround of Providence Public Schools. We thank Mayor Elorza and Council President Igliozzi for their partnership on this important project.”
“To transform Providence Public Schools into the district our students and families deserve, we must provide modern learning environments that support student success,” said Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “The transformation at the Spaziano Elementary School Annex is an exciting look at the future of PPSD, and we are both proud and excited to work with the City of Providence, the City Council, RIDE, and all stakeholders to move important projects like this forward for our students.”
The Spaziano Elementary School Annex construction is part of the City’s coordinated Capital Infrastructure Investments. Progress and project updates on Providence’s infrastructure projects are documented on the City’s Infrastructure Project Dashboard, which can be found at providenceri.gov/infrastructure. The Providence Infrastructure Project Dashboard provides information about recently completed, ongoing and planned construction projects throughout the city and enables Providence residents to easily track the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects citywide.
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