$65M Contracts To Build Schools, Parks

The new buildings will brings neighborhood schools back to communities that have not seen a new school facility in decades.

All eight developments are scheduled for completion in approximately 12 months, with the school construction costs averaging $7 million. The primary schools will serve children from kindergarten through second grade and are designed to help relieve overcrowding by reducing class sizes at existing elementary schools.

Ray Garfield and Tony Traub, principals of Garfield Traub, underscored the importance of neighborhood schools for the commercial well being of communities, pointing out that school construction is part of the overall revitalization of communities.

The new schools are part of the LAUSD's plan to build 80 new schools and expand 78 existing campuses to reduce overcrowding throughout the district by 2006. Of the 158 projects, seven schools and 12 expansions have been completed, with another 77 currently under construction.

The primary schools under the Garfield Traub contract include:

Dena Primary Center, 2750 E. Hostetter St.; Fremont Primary Center, 8621 S. Baring Cross; Hooper Primary Center, 1280 E. 52nd St.; Washington Primary Center, 850 W. 112th St.; Rowan Primary Center, 832 S. Eastman Ave.; Corona Primary Center, 6401 Bear Ave.; Bell; Middleton Primary Center, 2410 Zoe Ave, Huntington Park; Corona Park and Recreation Center, 3801 - 61st St., Huntington Park.