Construction

Current Projects

We are constantly working to improve our buildings at EPCUSD 401. Click the dropdown tabs below to view our ongoing projects. View our pictures of our projects here!

Past Projects

Want to see information about our previous projects? Check out what we've done in the past below!

Elmwood Park High School

Library sound system installation

Decade wall installation

Preparation for the decade wall installation in July

Resurfacing east gym

Workers installing the new flooring in EPHS' East gym in July

New cafeteria flooring

The new floors in EPHS' cafeteria

Auditorium Renovation

EPHS' auditorium received a makeover with Midwest Mechanical at the helm. Below is a summary of completed work:

Replaced all existing Auditorium stage rigging
Replaced all existing Auditorium stage drapery
Upgraded all existing Auditorium stage lighting
Upgraded all existing Auditorium stage electrical
Installed a new projector in the rear projection booth
Installed a new moveable projector screen near the front of the stage
Installed a new cyclorama screen near the back of the stage
Installed a new sound and lighting booth in the back of the Auditorium
New flooring in the cafeteria
New projector installations in some classrooms

Elm Middle School

Main Office Renovation

Major changes took place at Elm Middle School's front office and entrance! Construction wrapped up before the 2024-25 school year began.

An architectural rendering of the front office from architects. | Credit: DLA Architects

Elm Middle School main office renovation

Elm's main office in August

Project Overview

The main office renovation has provided a safe and secure entrance for visitors, additional office space to house administration in one central location, a single-use restroom, a workstation for office and staff use as well as additional storage.

Elm main office renovation — An architectural rendering of the outside of the school office from architects
Credit: DLA Architects

*The hallway outside Elm's main office in August*

The Project's Background

In September 2023, EPCUSD received a $500,000 grant from the state of Illinois to offset the cost of this project. DLA Architects, Ltd., and International Contractors, Inc. (ICI) were the two firms chosen to lead the project. DLA and ICI have overseen every recent major project for the district.

Resurfacing main gym

*Progress of the resurfacing process of Elm's main gym in July*

progress on elm's gym resurfacing — An architectural rendering of the outside of the school office from architects
Credit: DLA Architects

*The hallway outside Elm's main office in August*

The Project's Background

In September 2023, EPCUSD received a $500,000 grant from the state of Illinois to offset the cost of this project. DLA Architects, Ltd., and International Contractors, Inc. (ICI) were the two firms chosen to lead the project. DLA and ICI have overseen every recent major project for the district.

Resurfacing main gym

*Progress of the resurfacing process of Elm's main gym in July*

Elmwood Elementary School

John Mills Elementary School

2023

Elmwood Park High School

In March 2023, a new project began at Elmwood Park High School.

This involved the planned transformation of both the Large Group Instruction (LGI) Room and the school library, that saw work continue through the remainder 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.

To handle the work, District 401 chose DLA Architects, Ltd., and International Contractors, Inc., the same two firms responsible for the renovation and expansion of Elm Middle School a few years prior.

DLA and ICI also worked together to build the science wing at EPHS, as well as to expand and remodel the south end of Elmwood Elementary.

A Sample of Summer 2023 Work

*A view of summer construction progress in the EPHS library. | Photo by Dave Porreca, District 401*

*A view of the new District Office administrative area on the first floor of EPHS. | Photo by Dave Porreca, District 401*

*Construction progress on the second floor of John Mills Elementary School. | Photo by Dave Porreca, District 401*

2020 Referendum

General Information

The Project's Background

In March 2020, Elmwood Park voters approved a $55 million bond issue to renovate and add to Elmwood Elementary School and John Mills Elementary School. The measure received 61.89% of the 3,529 ballots cast.

To handle the construction projects, District 401 chose DLA Architects, Ltd., and International Contractors, Inc., the same two firms responsible for the recent renovation and expansion of Elm Middle School.

DLA and ICI also worked together to build the science wing at Elmwood Park High School, as well as to expand and remodel the south end of Elmwood Elementary.

"It is beyond exciting that we are about to start the construction process to provide an updated learning environment for our community," said Dr. Leah Gauthier, Superintendent of Schools for District 401.

"We know our students will be able to grow and thrive in these spaces for years to come."

Groundbreaking for both projects took place in spring 2022, followed by Phase I work during the summer, with the remaining work finished by summer 2024.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Leah Gauthier showing students construction sketches at John Mills

During an update session at John Mills on Nov. 1, 2021, Superintendent Dr. Leah Gauthier points out some of the changes planned for the school. A similar session took place at Elmwood Elementary on Oct. 27, 2021.
Photo by Dave Porreca, District 401.

Moving Forward

In the months following the passage of the 2020 bond referendum, designs and floor plans for each school were prepared. They were displayed respectively to the Elmwood Park community in two public sessions: Oct. 27, 2021, at Elmwood School and Nov. 1, 2021, at John Mills School.

"The District is very excited to begin the addition and renovation projects at our two elementary schools," said James Jennings, former Assistant Superintendent for Business, Finance & Operations.

"In 2019 the District presented several options to the community and asked for input from all stakeholders," he continued. "The results from the feedback was to replace the current plumbing, electrical and other life safety items, update the interior throughout the current building and to put an addition on both elementary schools."

Initial onsite work got underway on March 8, 2022, when crews began prepping the work site at Elmwood School. Asbestos abatement projects began at both schools on March 28.

Timeline

2019 | Community Engagement & Public Input

MARCH 2019: District 401 sets up website page to serve as central repository for public information about a possible bond referendum to fund elementary school construction/remodeling/addition work.
MARCH-DECEMBER 2019: Community engagement outreach, surveys, presentation of options, analysis of feedback and development of final plan for Elmwood Elementary School remodeling and John Mills Elementary school remodeling and addition.
DECEMBER 2019: District 401 Board of Education approval of final plan and ballot question.

2021 | Preparation, Bids, Information Sessions

JANUARY-DECEMBER 2021: DLA Architects and International Contractors, Inc. (ICI) continue preparing for spring 2022 groundbreaking, including reviewing and assessing bids.
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2021: Public sessions are held at both schools in which architectural renderings of the planned changes are shown and visitors are given tours of the schools.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021: Bid package award recommendations are presented to the District 401 Board of Education; bid package awards are approved for the Elmwood and John Mills projects.

2022 | Groundbreaking & Phase I Work

MARCH 2022: Initial foundation work begins at Elmwood.
MAY 11, 2022: Elmwood groundbreaking ceremony is held.
MAY 17, 2022: John Mills groundbreaking ceremony is held.
MAY 31, 2022: Work begins at John Mills.
SUMMER 2022 AT ELMWOOD: Phase I renovation of the first floor
SUMMER 2022 AT JOHN MILLS: Phase I renovation of the south wing (both floors) and west wing (both floors); installation of new LED lighting in the cafeteria and gym; start of addition to the school.
AUGUST 31, 2022: First day of school; the start of classes was moved back to maximize the amount of time available for construction work.
DURING 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR: Work continues as needed but with no disruption to classes or student activities

2023 | Phase II Work

SUMMER 2023 AT ELMWOOD: Phase II renovation of the second floor.
SUMMER 2023 AT JOHN MILLS: Phase II renovation of remaining first-floor classrooms; renovation of second-floor classrooms, flex rooms and teacher work areas above the main office; work continues on addition.
DURING 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR: Work continues as needed but with no disruption to classes or student activities

2024 | Completion

SPRING 2024: Completion of mill work, flooring and lighting at both schools
JUNE 2024: Anticipated completion date at both schools

Construction Timeline

Construction Update Newsletters

Photos & Videos

John Mills

Renovated lobby at John Mills Elementary School. Rendering by DLA Architects, Ltd.

Project Overview

From 2022 to 2024, work was conducted to upgrade John Mills by meeting the following needs:

EXPANSION NEEDS

Added classroom and office space to the west side of the building

MECHANICAL NEEDS

Replaced boilers and unit ventilators
Repaired or replaced the HVAC distribution system
Repaired or replaced air conditioning equipment

PLUMBING NEEDS

Replaced galvanized piping
Repaired pipes, drains, related equipment where needed
Replaced water heaters

ELECTRICAL NEEDS

Upgraded circuit breakers and electrical panels and related wiring and equipment
Replaced or provided wiring throughout the building
Replaced interior and exterior lighting

ADDITIONAL LIFE SAFETY & LEARNING ENVIRONMENT NEEDS

Replaced windows, repaired roofs and conducted tuckpointing around the entire exterior
Replaced doors, including door frames and locks
Replaced security camera(s), door alarm(s) and public address systems
Renovated interior spaces to modernize the learning environment

A New John Mills

Groundbreaking

On May 17, 2022, the John Mills Elementary School construction project kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony. The event featured guest speakers, student singers and contest winners, refreshments and even some swag!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the celebration, and thank you to all Elmwood Park residents who made it possible for us to take our next step in District 401's vision for building a brighter future for our students, families and community.

Construction work got fully underway on May 31, 2022, with completion scheduled for August 2024. The entire John Mills property will be inaccessible during summer until then.

Board members and admins at John Mills construction groundbreaking event

District 401 Board of Education members, along with our Superintendent of Schools, District administrators and John Mills building leaders, participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking at the school on May 17, 2022. Photo by Alex Romanovsky, DLA Architects.

Students at John Mills construction groundbreaking event

John Mills students perform their school song at the groundbreaking ceremony, under the direction of music teacher Sarah Altshuler. Photo by Dave Porreca, District 401.

How It Was Going — July 2022

Phase 1 Construction — Summer 2022 Rewind

Phase 2 Construction — A Sample of Summer 2023 Progress

*A view of construction on the second floor of John Mills Elementary School, July 2023. | More photos are available here.*

*Another view of construction progress on the second floor of John Mills, July 2023. | More photos are available here.*

Construction Showcase 2023

Elmwood

Renovated lobby at Elmwood Elementary School. Rendering DLA Architects, Ltd.

Project Overview

From 2022 to 2024, work was conducted to upgrade Elmwood by meeting the following needs:

MECHANICAL NEEDS

Replace boilers and unit ventilators
Repair or replace the HVAC distribution system
Repair or replace air conditioning equipment

PLUMBING NEEDS

Replace galvanized piping
Repair pipes, drains, related equipment where needed
Replace water heaters

ELECTRICAL NEEDS

Upgrade circuit breakers and electrical panels and related wiring and equipment
Replace or provide wiring throughout the building
Replace interior and exterior lighting

ADDITIONAL LIFE SAFETY & LEARNING ENVIRONMENT NEEDS

Replace windows, repair roofs and conduct tuckpointing around the entire exterior
Replace doors, including door frames and locks
Replace security camera, door alarm and public address systems
Renovate interior spaces to modernize the learning environment

A New Elmwood

Groundbreaking

On May 11, 2022, the Elmwood Elementary School construction project kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony. The event featured guest speakers, student singers and contest winners, refreshments and even some swag!

Foundation work began outside the building on March 28, 2022, with completion of the entire project scheduled for August 2024.

Board members and admins at the Elmwood Elementary School construction groundbreaking

District 401 Board of Education members, along with our Superintendent of Schools and Elmwood's building leaders, participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking at Elmwood Elementary School on May 11, 2022. Photo by Alex Romanovsky, DLA Architects.

Elmwood Elementary School students at the construction groundbreaking

Elmwood students perform their school song at the groundbreaking ceremony, under the direction of music teacher Meredith Dabbs. Photo by Dave Porreca, District 401.