Central High School is getting a multi-million dollar upgrade. The century old building is getting a 50,000 square foot addition to the east side facing 20th st.
The $22 million dollar project will start this summer and will open up opportunities for several programs.
“We are at max capacity, we are at 2,500 students, and really we are working in a 19th century building, and we need to offer our students a 21st century education,” said Michele Roberts, the executive director for the Central High School Foundation.
A new band studio and a new black-box theater will be in the new addition, along with new class rooms that will greatly help the art department.
“All five classrooms are in one little area, so they are all getting their own classrooms which is what is needed,” said Roberts.
A new library will also move into about a 7,000 square foot space.
Roberts said one of the elements they hope to carry through the new addition is the school's authentic history.
The marble, the tiles, the staircase, even another "C" added to the entry way will go into the space.
“We are working hard to make sure the building represents the past but it lets us look into the future.”
The 25,000 square feet inside Central will be refurbished by OPS and will help programs like the English language program and special education.
The ground break is expected to happen this summer and the addition should be complete by winter of 2018.
