Final Touches Being Put on Renovated Root Elementary

September 11, 2009 - The Wake County Public School System has received a Certificate of Occupancy for Root Elementary which has been undergoing major renovations. During renovations, the school has been operating in a temporary modular campus off St Albans Street near North Hills Mall.

Don Haydon, WCPSS Chief Facilities and Operations Officer, offered his congratulations to the Root Elementary project team for their hard work in finishing the renovations and receiving a Certificate of Occupancy ahead of schedule. Haydon said their hard work contributed to a successful project.

With construction complete, the WCPSS Facilities team will be moving in the equipment and furniture, preparing the school for the return of students and faculty. Students are scheduled to arrive on Monday, November 2.

The construction trailer has been removed from the site. All sod installation and plantings are complete, except for trees that will be planted in October. All asphalt paving at the carpool drop-off, bus loops and parking lots is complete, as well as pavement striping and sidewalks. Installation of playground equipment has been completed for pre-K, K-2 and 3-5 play areas.

The $20.9 million renovation added 62,268 square feet to the school which sits on a small 7.5 acre campus at 3202 Northampton Road in Raleigh.

The major renovations included construction of new classrooms, student support services, administration, cafeteria/multi-purpose room, and support spaces. The project included renovation of the existing multipurpose building for classrooms, as well as addressing site circulation and ADA accessibility. Play fields were upgraded.

On August 25, the school started it second year at the temporary North Hills campus. The school community worked hard moving into the temporary campus last year and then dressing it up for their stay there. Moving to the temporary modular campus helped to speed up the construction work at their campus and avoided construction disruptions.

Root principal Drew Ware says the school is excited about moving back into their newly renovated building. He says the faculty is working on the details of making the move work smoothly for students, their families and teachers. He’s talked with PTA leaders to prepare students and families. For kindergartners and first graders, it will be their first time at the campus on Northampton Road.

Ware says the school is returning to its campus as Root marks its 50th year as a school.

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