From the Ground Up: Adah Fulbright Early Childhood Center

Owner: Springfield Public Schools
General Contractor: DeWitt & Associates Inc.
Architects: Paragon Architecture LLC and Sapp Design Associates Architects PC
Engineers: Olsson Inc., civil; Toth and Associates Inc., structural; and Interpres Building Solutions LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 36,054 square feet
Estimated cost: $12.69 million
Lender: None
Estimated completion: August
Project description: As part of the $168 million bond issue voters approved in April 2019, Springfield Public Schools is developing an early childhood center near Carver Middle School. The two-story facility, which will serve up to 250 preschool students, is designed with 12 classrooms, a covered outdoor play area and a 1,400-square-foot safe room, which also serves as music and art rooms, said Ramsay Manning, vice president of operations at general contractor DeWitt & Associates. The SPS Board of Education in January approved the name as the Adah Fulbright Early Childhood Center after a longtime educator who taught children in segregated schools, according to the SPS website. The total project cost includes furniture, fixtures, architect and engineer work, and other professional services, said SPS spokeswoman Teresa Bledsoe.