(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Public Schools Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee, and Interim Principal Jacqueline Anderson cut the ribbon on the newly modernized Eaton Elementary School. Mayor Bowser was joined by Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, Director of the Department of General Services, Keith A. Anderson, and community members.
“We cannot wait to bring our students back to fantastic facilities like this one – spaces specifically designed to support the needs of young learners,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We thank all of our educators and staff members who are working hard to get ready for this school year. We thank our families for working with us to get everyone back. And we thank everyone in the community, whether they have children in school or not, who’s supporting our students by getting vaccinated.”
The modernization of Eaton Elementary School, a $57.7 million project, initially began in 2018 with the renovation of two existing buildings totaling 40,000 square feet and the demolition of interconnecting 1930s- and 1980s-era buildings that allowed for the construction of a new 45,000 square feet three-level building. The new facility features a new gymnasium, library, and cafeteria to serve the student body.
“We are excited to welcome our Eaton community back to their school home,” said Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee. “The new school building celebrates our history and embraces the bright future of our students at the heart of the design. As we prepare to welcome back our students on August 30, we’re excited to see our students joyfully learning in Eaton and all our schools.”
Eaton Elementary is a testament to the designers and construction personnel who worked to include all the DCPS Ed Spec square foot requirements on a very small lot, surrounded by four streets with varying grade elevations, while encouraging outdoor safety and interesting play areas.
“The Eaton Elementary School modernization is an example of how the Department of General Services architects and engineers are designing smarter for DC,” said DGS Director Keith A. Anderson. “My team uses innovation while focusing on including energy and sustainability features that are healthy for our current and future little residents of this great city. Together, this helps create models for the best education spaces in the country.”
New features of the renovated Eaton Elementary School include:
- Two new elevators – providing ADA accessibility from one floor to the next and between historic building with dissimilar floor levels, all new ADA accessible exterior doors.
- MEP systems, new green roofing system, DFH system, new Wi-Fi system through several indoor and outdoor wireless access points and security including cameras, millwork, new windows and window grilles, drywall, painting, ceramic tile, epoxy flooring, terrazzo flooring, site lighting, new playground, new flagpole, new gas and water service, restoration of existing Cupola and placement on site, landscaping, and artwork by local artists.
- The building is served by a water-cooled VRF system with central cooling tower and gas-fired hot water boilers. Larger areas such as the library, gym, kitchen, and dining areas are served by water-source heat pumps.
- The building’s ventilation and exhaust needs are served by a packaged water-cooled DX dedicated Outside Air System with energy recovery. Outdoor air is delivered directly to each space through dedicated ventilation air terminal units and diffusers. MDF and IDF loads are served by individual air-cooled DX ductless split systems.