School districts pour millions into voter-approved projects

A flurry of new construction and renovation projects at a number of schools in Aurora is helping keep contractors busy in an otherwise tepid economy.

Aurora voters passed bond measures in November 2008 for both the Aurora Public Schools (APS) district and the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD). The bonds add up to nearly $420 million for projects in Aurora, money that's being used to build new schools and make upgrades to existing facilities.

The money is especially important for the state's construction sector, which has shed roughly 22,400 jobs in the last year, said Michael Gifford, executive director of the Associate General Contractors of America Colorado chapter. The lost jobs have resulted in a 14.7 percent decline in Colorado's construction industry.

"I can say that $420 million for Cherry Creek Schools and Aurora Public Schools is fabulous," Gifford said. "It's very critical to keep people at work so they can be a productive part of the economy."

Cherry Creek Schools recently broke ground on the new $14 million Institute of Science and Technology, one of the major projects included in the bond schedule, said district spokeswoman Tustin Amole. The 58,000 square-foot facility is slated to open at South Peoria Street and East Jewell Avenue in fall 2011, Amole said.

Construction also is well underway on a new elementary school in the Wheatlands neighborhood, just east of the Southlands Shopping Center. "Elementary #41" is one of three new elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District to be funded by bond proceeds.

In east Aurora, construction crews are nearing completion of a new P-8 school near East Colfax Avenue and E-470. The APS school, which is expected to serve about 1,000 students, is expected to be completed by mid-April, said Ed Nation, superintendent of FCI Contractors, which is building the facility.

The school is part of a sprawling 100-acre campus dubbed P-20, meaning it will one day serve pre-school through the 20th grade, or college. The $72 million development is the centerpiece of APS's bond construction, a project that also includes a new high school, in addition to a sports complex featuring a multi-purpose stadium, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and soccer fields.

Both schools are expected to be open by 2011, said APS spokeswoman Paula Hans.

Joey Kirchmer: 303-954-2650 or kirchmerj@yourhub.com