WESTFIELD – In the fruition of an effort first started 13 years ago, construction of a new elementary school in Westfield is finally underway. During the ceremonial groundbreaking on June 7, many of the speakers, including Mayor Mike McCabe, Sen. John Velis, Rep. Kelly Pease and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski cited how long it has taken the city to reach this point, and most acknowledged Purchasing Director Tammy Tefft’s work with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to ensure this time the effort goes smoothly.
Thirteen years ago, the city had another site in mind, that of the former Ashley Street school in a portion of what is now the Cross Street Playground and Park. Due to opposition from residents and a legal battle in the courts, that site was officially withdrawn in 2018 under former Mayor Brian Sullivan, and the new site on Franklin Street selected.
Sullivan, who serves on the School Building Committee, was present at the groundbreaking for a photo with McCabe.
Construction on the site actually began in April and is expected to be completed in November, 2024, according to Dan Pallotta, project manager, from P3 Project Planning Professionals. Fontaine Bros. of Springfield was hired as contractors to oversee the construction of the new school after submitting a bid of $52.54 million. The plans were designed by Caolo & Bieniek Associates Inc. in conjunction with the city’s School Building Committee.
The construction site is next to Franklin Avenue Elementary School, and it will replace both that school and Abner Gibbs Elementary School. Classes are expected to move into the new school after the 2024-25 holiday break, after which the old Franklin Avenue building will be torn down.
The new school will be named by the School Committee with public input but must, according to city ordinances, be named after a geographical location.