Mayor de Blasio, Elected Officials and NYC School Construction Authority Break Ground on New School Building in the Bronx

July 29, 2021

Video available at: https://youtu.be/BLAPfssFmA8

Opening in September 2024, the new school will add 572 seats in District 7

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill De Blasio was today joined by New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) President and CEO Nina Kubota, NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, Department of Education officials, elected officials, and community members to mark the start of construction of a state-of-the-art, 572-seat school building in the Melrose section of the Bronx.

The school will be built adjacent to the South Bronx Educational Complex at 639 St. Ann’s Avenue and will address new seat demand in District 7 as a result of various redevelopment projects in the area.

The new, 4-story school building will be a fully air-conditioned, accessible facility for pre-k through grade 5 students and will contain four pre-kindergarten classrooms, three kindergarten classrooms, fifteen standard classrooms, two district special education classrooms, and reading and speech resource rooms. The building will also house a District 75 special education component consisting of eight classrooms, two speech rooms, occupational and physical therapy rooms, and other support space.

“A Recovery for all of Us must be focused on building a better future for our kids,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This new state-of-the-art school will provide the children of District 7 in the Bronx and District 75 the space to grow and the tools to succeed.”

“This new school building will be a vital part of a concerted effort to completely revitalize this Bronx community with a world class educational facility,” said Nina Kubota, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority. “Today, we see another example of how government agencies, community leaders, and elected officials can get together to provide our students with the technology, facilities and resources they need to succeed.”

“Every student deserves a strong academic foundation and opportunities to chase their dreams – and projects like this help foster that mission by providing state-of-the-art learning facilities for our young people,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “This investment will open doors for generations of students to come in the South Bronx, and I’m grateful for the collaborative partnership of everyone involved.”

Other amenities at the school will include:

• Art Room
• Music Room with instrument storage
• Science Resource Room
• Gymatorium
• Bicycle Storage
• Exercise Room
• Library
• Full Kitchen Complex
• Students’ Dining Area
• Guidance Suite
• Medical Suite
• Administration Suite
• Teachers’ and Aides Workroom
• Staff Lunch / Conference Room
• Parents/Community Room
• Playground

Construction will begin next week after a $66.79 million contract was awarded to Forte Construction Corp. It is expected to be completed for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The SCA’s 2020-2024 Capital Program includes nearly $1.6 billion in funding for 21 buildings adding 11,983 seats in the Bronx.

State Senator Luis R. Sepulveda said, “It's important that we invest in our students and their education—and that starts with creating a space that will encourage active learning. This new school building will give students access to the arts and music; while also giving teachers and faculty an administration suite and workroom, among other amenities that the entire school will enjoy. This school was designed with both students and teachers in mind to maximize learning, support, and educational success.”

Assembly Member Amanda Septimo said, “The only thing more exciting than the first day of school is breaking ground on a new school building. I am thrilled that construction is beginning for this new school in District 7, a school building that will also provide access to athletic facilities, artistic resources, and support space for our children. We welcome the much-needed resources for South Bronx families.”

City Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. said, “As the South Bronx continues to experience growth with the infusion of much needed affordable housing, it is vital that our constituents also have sufficient City resources and infrastructure to ensure the best quality of life. As a parent, nothing is more important than providing our children with a safe and innovative environment to explore their learning capabilities. With today’s groundbreaking, we are fulfilling that promise to our youth. Creating 572 new seats for pre-k to grade five students, this school will offer a state-of-the-art learning experience complete with science, music and art studios, exercise rooms, and fully accessible, air-conditioned classrooms. Once open, the school will be a beacon of education for countless generations of Bronxites. I thank the de Blasio Administration and the New York City School Construction Authority for responding to the needs of our families and investing in our children’s future.”

District 7 Superintendent Rafael Alvarez said, “It is with great pride and pleasure that we get to open a new elementary school in District 7 that will reimagine education as we innovate through engagement, elevation and empowerment.”

District 75 Deputy Superintendent Dr. Adam Breier said, “Our D75 students with diverse needs and abilities will benefit from opportunities to socialize with peers in this co-located school building and to attend a school that serves their needs close to home. This state-of-the-art facility will help ensure that our students are prepared for the 21st century in a space designed to support accessible, innovative learning. We certainly look forward to bringing our resources, experience, and flexibility to the table to collaborate with this community.”

In addition, as part of the SCA’s Public Art for Public Schools program, there will be an artist commissioned to create site-specific artwork for the lobby of the school. For additional information on the New York City School Authority, please visit www.nycsca.org

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