PBC Announces Project Surplus, Other Positive Results For City’s Modern Schools Across Chicago Initiative

The Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) this month announced comprehensive results for the Modern Schools Across Chicago (MSAC) program, including projects completed or in development by the PBC.

The MSAC initiative, announced in late 2006, pursues an aggressive capital program to bring new school facilities and major renovation projects online through an innovative funding strategy. At the time of this announcement, with no state capital funding available for over a decade, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and City of Chicago partnered to develop a capital program funded by both CPS General Obligation bonds and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bonds.

Through this initiative, the PBC has been given the authority to spend $1,077,013,735 on 19 MSAC projects. 14 projects are already complete and five projects are currently under development. As of February 18, 2011, the PBC is reporting a projected surplus of $109,121,730, or 10.13%, under budget on these 19 projects.

These projects represent 17 new schools and 2 major school renovations. The program has or will deliver a total of 17,890 new student seats and over 2.5 million square feet of program space in neighborhoods throughout the City of Chicago. New schools and renovations include:

• Miles Davis Academy, 6730 South Paulina Street
• Langston Hughes Elementary School, 240 West 104th Street
• Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School, 1260 West Adams Street
• Irene C. Hernandez Middle School for the Advancement of Science, 3510 West 55th Street.
• Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy, 2231 North Central Avenue
• Westinghouse High School, 3223 West Franklin Boulevard.
• Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School, 3231 North Springfield Avenue
• Eric Solorio Academy High School, 5400 South St. Louis Avenue
• Mariano Azuela Elementary School, 4707 West Marquette Road
• Calmeca Academy of Fine Arts & Dual Language, 3456 West 38th Street
• West Ridge Elementary School, 3456 W. 38th St., 6700 North Whipple Street
• Marvin Camras Elementary School Renovation, 3000 North Mango Avenue
• Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Paideia Academy, 7511 S. South Shore Drive
• South Shore High School, 1955 East 75th Street
• Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy Additions, 250 East 111th Street
• Ogden Replacement Elementary School, 24 West Walton Street
• Brighton Park II Elementary School, 2611 West 48th Street
• Southwest Area High School, 7651 South Homan Avenue
• Back of the Yards High School, 2111 West 47th Street

The PBC also reported positive results for economic sustainability as a result of the MSAC program. An anticipated 3,200 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs have been created and 264 community hires have worked to date. And, of the total construction contract value of approximately $715 million to date, 36.90% has been paid to minority-owned businesses and 5.05% has been paid to women-owned businesses.

All PBC projects are designed to achieve a minimum LEED “Silver” certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). To date, the PBC has 13 MSAC projects registered with the USGBC, and five have already achieved LEED certification.

The PBC’s commitment to sustainable development for the environment also includes diversion of construction waste from landfills; utilization of recycled materials in construction; green roofs; enhanced natural light; solar-powered features; high efficiency heating and cooling systems; low flow/low consumption water usage; responsible landscaping; and aggressive stormwater management.

All of these strategies were implemented in the development of MSAC projects and many are highlighted in the new PBC video highlighting its environmental sustainability program at: https://www.pbcchicago.com/content/projects/environmental_videos.asp

The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Richard M. Daley serves as the PBC’s chairman. Erin Lavin Cabonargi serves as the Executive Director of the PBC.  Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com.