By Amanda Riley
Northside News
Perhaps you have seen construction occurring as you drive along Sherman Avenue or Wheeler Road. Those are your tax dollars at work, as MMSD proceeds with Phase 1 of its facilities referendum construction projects. Four Northside schools at two locations are being completely rebuilt to provide safe and healthy learning environments for our children.
The Sherman Middle School/Shabazz High School building was originally constructed in 1928 and the Blackhawk Middle School/Gompers Elementary School building in 1958. Each building has seen six additions in subsequent years and each was suffering from the wear and tear that comes with time: leaking roofs, broken boilers with outdated parts that can no longer be replaced, and old plumbing causing frequent backups in bathrooms.
Project goals for the two sites are ambitious. Each site will utilize geothermal energy for power and bioswales and retention ponds for managing water runoff. The Blackhawk site plan includes a roof mounted photovoltaic array with a panel that is visible to students so it can be incorporated into their learning. There are also plans for an electric vehicle charging station. Both plans give attention to indoor air quality with high filtration and ventilation rates, as well as reduced use of toxic chemicals in surface finishes.
Another design goal is to contribute to equitable communities by thinking ahead about needs. Each gym space can double as an emergency shelter, and outdoor spaces are designed to be accessible to the wider community. Old growth trees are being preserved at the Sherman/Shabazz site. Recently planted orchard trees have been moved out of the way of construction, thanks to the volunteer efforts of Adam Alves, a Dane County forestry specialist and Madison College instructor. Alves donated his time and equipment, including a 44-inch tree spade. The community garden at Blackhawk/Gompers will be relocated, but will remain accessible to the neighborhood.
The estimated cost of the projects is $84 million for Blackhawk/Gompers and $108 million for Sherman/Shabazz. Construction has begun at both sites, with official groundbreaking ceremonies on March 30.
Plans are to demolish the old buildings over the summer of 2027 and to open the new schools in September of 2027. More information, including construction updates on what to expect each month, is available on MMSD’s 2024 Facilities Referendum page (madison.k12.wi.us/about/2024-referenda/2024-facilities-referendum).
