Smyrna High School Smyrna, Del.

PROJECT COST: $55 million

After three years in planning, the Smyrna School District in Smyrna, Del., has embarked on a $55-million addition and renovation of its high school.

The project is part of a districtwide initiative to double enrollment. The district has completed expansions of its middle and elementary schools.

Fearn-Clendaniel Architects of Wilmington, Del., designed the renovation and 157,120-sq-ft addition. The expanded school contains administrative offices, a media center, science labs, classrooms, enlarged cafeteria, kitchen, maintenance shop, egress stairs, locker rooms and a new 2,000-seat gymnasium. The project also includes a detached 13,019-sq-ft central energy plant and a 2,080-sq-ft greenhouse structure.

Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. of Baltimore began construction in 2008. The structural-steel frame building with masonry walls sits on a cast-in-place concrete, spread-footing foundation. The school will remain occupied throughout construction. The work is phased to allow progress throughout the year.

The updated school will have a capacity of 2,000 students and is expected to open in 2011.

Key Players

Owner: Smyrna School District, Smyrna, Del.
Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Baltimore
Architect: Fearn-Clendaniel Architects, Wilmington, Del.