47°
The Hempstead Union Free School District has begun efforts to demolish and replace Rhodes Elementary School on Washington Street. The project began on April 29 with the removal of trees, and all preliminary testing has already been completed in the building and on the campus.
The building shuttered its doors in 2004 and has stood since 1911. A new school building is scheduled to be put in its place and operational when the 2021 academic year kicks off as enrollment continues to rise. The district has utilized temporary classrooms to accommodate students.
According to acting Schools Superintendent Regina Armstrong, “all precautions will be taken to prevent and manage the removal of materials and/or contaminants from debris to protect the environment. All pests and wildlife inside the building have been humanely removed by professionals.”
Moving forward, demolition is set to begin in earnest on Wednesday, May 29 and should last approximately seven weeks, through July 18. There will also be site restoration and drainage installation beginning on June 3, which is expected to last approximately seven and a half weeks.
The district has announced that “substantial completion” of the 108-year-old Rhodes Elementary School building by July 25.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Suffolk and receive free news updates.
