Additions and Renovations
Project Updates
As of March, the full design for the project is complete, and contractors have sent bids to do the work. Construction began April 28th, 2021. The tentative schedule is as follows:
2021 Summer – Work will be focused on the area behind the existing building, including the construction of a new bus loop and expanding the playground areas. Interior renovations will begin in the current administration and library areas.
2021-2022 School Year – Work will continue on the new classroom addition and on the kitchen addition.
2022 Summer – Construction will include a the new front parking lot, and completion of the classroom and kitchen additions. Interior HVAC renovations will take place in the existing classrooms and the current kitchen area will be converted to additional cafeteria space.
Project Background
Albemarle County Public Schools have embarked on a plan to design and build significant new spaces and improvements to Crozet Elementary School. Originally opened in 1990, Crozet Elementary School was built to accommodate a population of less than 400 students. These planned improvements will accommodate an enrollment of 680 pupils.
As the result of the tremendous population growth in and around Crozet, two elementary schools, Brownsville and Crozet, are running out of space. During the 2019/20 school year, six mobile classrooms were added for a total of eight to Brownsville as a temporary solution. Brownsville is nearing 900 students and Crozet now has 360 students. Several prospective housing developments will add even more students to these two schools.
The solution, recommended by our Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee and supported by both school and county planning officials, is to expand the size of Crozet Elementary School. This not only will safely accommodate future Crozet students but will allow room to move some Brownsville students to the new Crozet, thereby improving the learning environment for students at both schools well into the future.
Project Scope
This project will add an estimated 28,000 square foot addition to the building as well as making improvements to the existing building and site. The additions will include 17 classrooms, 3 smaller resource classrooms, 2 offices, a faculty workroom and various support spaces. The additions will also expand the cafeteria and media center to support the larger student enrollment. Improvements to the existing building will include improvements to existing classrooms, improvements to the kitchen, stage and cafeteria (including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades), and improvements to existing administration, support spaces and toilets. Site improvements will include outdoor learning areas, new and expanded bus drop-off, additional parking, additional playground equipment, and the replacement of a paved play area due to the likely location of the addition.
Project Schedule
***Please note that due to the uncertainty of the economic impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the schedule for this project is being re-evaluated.
The original proposed schedule is outlined below.
- Design: March-December 2020
- Bidding & Contracting: January-April 2021
- Construction: May 2021-August 2022
- Open for the 2022/23 School Year
*Construction will be handled in multiple phases, but exact construction sequencing is still being considered and will be finalized toward the end of the design process. All efforts will be made to minimize disruptions to students during the school year, but like any construction project, there will be some level of noise and dust at various times during the project. ACPS always prioritizes the safety of students, staff, and visitors during construction projects that span the academic year.
**A community advisory committee of volunteers will be asked to make recommendations on which Brownsville neighborhoods would be reassigned to Crozet, a process that would not take place until the Crozet expansion was a year away from completion. If the original schedule is maintained, the redistricting study will take place in the Fall of 2021.
Community Engagement Opportunities
The design process is led by VMDO Architects, a nationally-renowned Charlottesville based firm specializing in architecture for education. While the COVID-19 epidemic has profoundly impacted everyone's lives, ACPS wishes for this project to continue on its present timetable so that much-needed space will be available to students and staff as soon as is reasonably possible. To that end, VMDO has revised the scope of their community engagement efforts to incorporate informational updates and soliciting feedback through a variety of digital methods. ACPS and VMDO invite you to learn more about this project and tell us what you think we can do to make the project meet the needs of every learner and the entire Crozet community.
Community Update #4
Watch the fourth Community Update video for more information.
School Board Presentation - May 28, 2020
Community Update #3
Watch the third Community Update Video for more information.
1. Site Analysis Survey
Our second survey is a quick way to give feedback specifically relating to site conditions. Please take the survey as your feedback is helpful and greatly appreciated.
What could a school of the future look like? Watch some videos here to get ideas.
3. Interviews
Do you have specific questions? Ideas about the site? Want to share your ideas as a family? Sign up for a 15-minute interview with the architects. Note that interviews may be conducted individually or in a group.
Community Update #2
Our second community update includes some takeaways on what we've been hearing from the community so far and a deeper dive into site analysis. Watch the second Community Update Video for more information.
1. Site Analysis Survey
Our second survey is a quick way to give feedback specifically relating to site conditions. Please take the survey as your feedback is helpful and greatly appreciated.
2. Kids Design Scavenger Hunt
With your family, try out this scavenger hunt to explore the Crozet Elementary School site. Then, send your findings to the architects at hill@vmdo.com for a chance to win a family dinner from Crozet Pizza!
3. Interviews
Do you have specific questions? Ideas about the site? Want to share your ideas as a family? Sign up for a 15-minute interview with the architects. Note that interviews may be conducted individually or in a group.
Community Update #1
Take a look at the first Community Update video and then engage with the project in any or all of these ways:
1. Take the Survey
Participate in the first of three opinion surveys. Every other week, the survey will be updated with information from the previous survey.
2. Sign up for an interview
Are you a family that wants to know more about the design process? An interested Crozet citizen? A teacher? We want to hear from you! Sign up for a 15-minute ZOOM interview with the design team. We will contact you by email to confirm a final time. Note that interviews may be conducted individually or in a group.
3. Do a family activity
Join with your children in a family activity, such as watching a Kids Design video and send pictures that you create to the architects at hill@vmdo.com.
4. Reach out
If you have questions or comments, please email them to the architects at hill@vmdo.com.