Construction work is proceeding on the Columbus Middle School, which is scheduled to open in August 2010.
A $22 million bond issue earlier was passed — by 79 percent — to build a new middle school on 48 acres of land at the intersection of Highways 373 and 45 North; the construction bid was awarded to West Brothers Construction, which bid $19.1 million.
“The middle school site is really starting to shape up,” Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Dr. Del Phillips said Wednesday. “West Brothers” dirt subcontractor, Burns Dirt, has been on the job site working hard since the school district issued a notice to proceed. Although we”ve had some rainy days, we are very pleased with how hard everyone”s working to keep this project moving forward. West Brothers, Burns Dirt and (Columbus architects) Pryor and Morrow have all been superb to work with as this exciting project begins.”
Phillips said a plan to handle expected increased traffic around the site was in place before the property was purchased.
“We wouldn”t have bought the property if we hadn”t had a plan already in the works with Mississippi Department of Transportation,” he explained, noting a plan — to install traffic lights on Highway 45 North, at the top of Airbase Hill, to widen Highway 373 — from Highway 45 North to past the entrance of the school — and to install a dedicated turn lane and a traffic light, to be used during peak traffic times, on Highway 373 — is in stages of final approval from MDOT.
The front of the 146,622-square-foot middle school will house administrative offices, the school library and a dance studio. Beyond the front offices, a rotunda will lead to the other five wings of the school. The cafeteria and gymnasium will occupy a wing to the left of the rotunda and the auditorium and music classrooms will be housed in a wing to the right.
Three more large areas, which fork off the central part of the building, will house the school”s three grades — sixth, seventh and eighth.
The school property runs along Highway 45 from just north of the Bent Tree neighborhood to Highway 373. Westward, the property runs from Highway 45 to Highway 50.
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