The expansion will provide 21st-century, state-of-the-art academic opportunities for up to 645 students in kindergarten through 8th grades and help to ease overcrowding in the district. The upgraded educational facilities are much-needed for the elementary students; the original school opened on Lincoln Avenue in 1892 and was last expanded in 1906.

The 48,174-square-foot, two-story addition will include general classrooms, a cafeteria, music rooms and a combination gym/auditorium. The existing 81,856-square-foot school will be renovated throughout. The project also includes a playground area and a parking lot. The work is expected to be completed by September 2009.

"On behalf of the SDA, I’d like to say that we are pleased to begin work on turning a 19th-century facility into a safe, modern facility that will provide the educational environment that the school’s students and staff deserve,” said Scott Weiner, CEO of the Authority. “We look forward to our work as partners with the Orange School District in bringing this project to fruition."

Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor Architecture, PC designed the project, which is being built by Hall Building Corporation. Bovis Lend Lease is managing construction for the SDA

The SDA has completed one new school in Orange – the Main Street Elementary School. Another SDA project under way in Orange entails an addition and major renovations to the Park Avenue Elementary School. Built in 1880, the Park Avenue facility is the oldest public school still in use in the city.

The SDA currently has 23 projects under construction. Overall, the SDA has completed 41 schools and 28 major renovations and additions, along with nearly 400 health, safety and other projects in Abbott districts. The program also has distributed $2.2 billion in grants, impacting more than 1,400 suburban schools statewide.