Fenty Administration Unveils Modernization Efforts at Alice Deal Middle School

Student Body Celebrates Grand Opening at Onset of New School Year

Contact:      
Tony Robinson
(202) 689-7700

Monique Waters
(202) 553-8182

Washington, DC—Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM) Executive Director Allen Y. Lew, and District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, joined the student body and surrounding community to celebrate the opening and modernization of Alice “Deal” Middle School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“After many years of delay, the students, faculty and staff at Deal now have a model campus environment,” Mayor Fenty said. “I applaud Allen Lew and his team for delivering facility improvements that this student body and community can be proud of.”

The $72.6 million modernization upgrades to the campus located at 3815 Fort Drive, NW include:

•    Additional classroom space to accommodate 903 students
•    Smart boards
•    New computers
•    Upgraded gymnasium, cooking kitchen, cafeteria, media center, science labs, and music labs
•    Ceramic tile, rubber flooring, and terrazzo flooring restoration
•    New furniture, fixtures and equipment throughout the entire school
•    New roof and window restoration
•    Outdoor basketball court and new playing fields

Design plans for Deal Middle School’s renovations began in 2003, and Heery International was contracted in 2007 to complete the restoration and renovations. From the outset, the construction at Deal has been pursuant to the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (USGBC-LEED) certification process.

“The renovated Deal Middle School provides our students with a modern learning facility, while also being environmentally friendly,” OPEFM Executive Director Allen Lew said. “Green considerations were integral to the project, including reuse of the existing structure to the fullest extent possible.”

Other “green” improvements include:
•    Efficient radiant-based heating and cooling system
•    New electric systems with advanced electronic controls.
•    Upgraded kitchen and restroom facilities with water conserving fixtures

Ongoing renovations include an electric solar panel roof, which will be installed in September 2009, a new auditorium to be completed October 2009, and courtyard classrooms to be completed in the first quarter of 2010.