Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: July 2026

With the passing of the August 2023 Bond, and the 2018 Sinking Fund, Berkley Schools teams are busy planning for upcoming construction projects and monitoring current construction projects. Because both Bond and Sinking Fund projects are ongoing, these monthly updates will include details on both.

 

The July update includes construction updates on Angell, Pattengill, Rogers, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre, The BEAR Complex project, BHS West Gym, Pool, Norup and Anderson Team Rooms, Locker Rooms and Gyms, Hurley Field and Tyler Park. Many projects are making outstanding progress. Be sure to read through the whole update and see the photos of the work!   

 

These monthly Bond & Sinking Fund updates will be maintained on the District’s website. See below for updates on the projects that are taking place in 2026.

 

Bond & Sinking Fund Projects - Phase I & II Timeline

The following is an estimated timeline. These dates may change due to the nature of construction including weather delays, supply chain delays, etc. 

 

• Complete: BHS Pool Construction, Phase I
• Complete: BHS Science Wing Construction
• Complete: Burton Multi-Purpose Addition and Gym
• Complete: Robotics Spaces at The Den
• Complete: Pattengill Multi-Purpose Addition and Gym
• Complete: Burton Field Renovation
• Complete: BHS Performing Arts Center (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons)
• Complete: BHS Pool Construction, Phase II
• Underway: The BEAR Complex
• Underway: The Den Construction for Adult Transition
• Underway: Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions, Gyms and Sitework
• Underway: Tyler Park Project
• Underway: BHS West Gym
• Underway: Anderson and Norup Team Rooms & Locker Rooms
• Underway: AMS Foods Classroom
• Underway: Hurley Field Phase II and AMS Parking Lot Expansion
• Underway: BHS Courtyard Construction

 

Project Updates

Black Box Theatre/Choir Room - Bond

The Black Box Theatre/Choir Room is being added to complete the Performing Arts Wing. The space will be used during the day for choir classes and after school for performances and rehearsals, to complement the auditorium. 

Construction Update:

• The Black Box Theatre is nearly complete. 
• The space passed all inspections and awaits an official certificate of occupancy.
• The black out curtains will be installed the first week in August.
• The instructional technology components will be installed the first week in August.

Performing Arts Center - Bond

Construction Update:

• Electrical work is complete.
• The new sound booth systems have been installed and training will take place in August.
• The digital wall is fully installed.
• Finish work is complete in the new lobby and backstage dressing rooms.
• The signage for above the new lobby doors will be installed at the end of August, early September.
• The space passed all inspections and awaits an official certificate of occupancy.

Phase I: BHS BEAR Complex - Bond

The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex) a 60-yard indoor field house that includes a new weight room, team room and trainer room, an outdoor 120-yard turf performance field with lights, parking lot expansion and new configuration and a grass field north of the turf field. 

Construction Update:

• Window installation has begun, and once completed will fully enclose the building.
• Site work continues to prepare for the outdoor turf field, which is expected to be installed in early August.
• The interior turf field is scheduled to be installed in September.
• The outside concrete around the field house has been poured, with the decorative stamped concrete being installed the last week in July. 
• The pad for the outside field has been poured.
• Landscaping and sidewalks will be installed over the next month.
• Inside the field house, the tile for the restrooms is installed and the framing for the weight room has begun.

The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund

The Den will house the Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics programs. 

Construction Update:

• The roofers have a small section to complete.
• The new gutter system has been installed.
• The concrete around the building has been installed and the construction fencing has been removed.
• The parking lot has been striped.
• In the ATP space, kitchen cabinetry is complete.
• Drywall has been installed in the ATP space, and painting has begun.
• The new elevator has been installed.
• The lower level flooring installation is in progress.
• Interactive flat panel installation is scheduled for Mid-August.
• Furniture delivery and installation is scheduled for Mid-August.

 

BHS Pool: Phase II

The BHS Pool has entered Phase II of the planned updates. This work is mostly on the mechanical side. The pool filtration system is being replaced, a UV filtering system is being added, the tile inside of the pool itself is being repaired, sandblasted and regrouted, and additional work will take place in the mechanical room.

 

Construction Update:

• The mechanical equipment is installed, the pool is filled and the chemicals will be balanced the last week in July so the swim season can begin on August 10.

Angell Multi-Purpose Addition + Interior Renovations - Bond

Angell’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building at the south side, facing the playground. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. Angell’s gym is also receiving a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling. In addition, during the summer months, the old kitchen area will be renovated along with the attached offices.

Construction Update:

• The masons are nearly complete with the decorative brick on the outside of the new addition.
• The roof is complete on the new addition and the roofing crew is now working on flashing and finishing edges.
• The bathrooms in the new addition are halfway done, with tile and dividers and fixtures being installed.
• The staff parking lot will be paved before school begins in early August.
• Framing for new outside concrete sidewalks and pathways has been installed.
• The interior space/pod renovation is well underway with framing, HVAC and insulation install taking place.
• The gym floor has been demolished and new flooring has been  installed.
• Angell’s addition has a target date of opening in Fall 2026.
• The construction team held a pre-construction meeting with Michigan Rec to review the playground installation plan. Many pieces of the playground will be moving due to the location of the new addition.
• Additional construction updates mid-August with the Angell community. 

Rogers Multi-Purpose Addition  + Interior Renovations - Bond

The Rogers multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building in the courtyard on the west side of the building, facing the playground. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. The Rogers gym is also receiving a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling. In addition, the interior spaces behind the gym stage are being updated to create office space for support staff and a sensory room for students.

Construction Update:

• Fixtures in the multi-purpose addition restroom are being installed.
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing and HVAC work continues.
• Kitchen equipment is being installed.
• Sidewalks have been poured around the new addition.
• Ceiling lights are being installed in the new addition.
• The interior space demolition is completed and framing has begun.
• Tile work around the kitchen area and in the restrooms is in progress.
• Rogers’ addition has a target date of opening in early Fall 2026.

Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB & Hurley Field - Bond

The Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB and Hurley Field project includes updating the school gym floors, paint and equipment at AMS, Norup and BHS as well as renovating the locker rooms and team rooms at Norup and AMS. Hurley Field work includes updating team rooms, restrooms, field lighting, replacing the visitor bleachers, adjusting flow and fence lines, a new scoreboard and expanding the parking lot to improve available spaces as well as traffic flow. In addition, the work includes replacing the gym floor at Berkley Building Blocks, and upgrading the BHS West Gym with air conditioning, lighting and new paint and a renovation of the kitchen space in the AMS Foods Room. The BHS Pool will undergo mechanical work, too.

BHS West Gym

• The West Gym suffered water damage to the floor in early July. The floor has been stripped down and is being prepared for new graphics.
• The new scoreboard was installed and is being prepped for connection to District technology systems.

Norup & AMS Team Rooms and Locker Rooms

• New lockers in the team rooms at Nourp and AMS have been installed.
• The walls and ceilings have been painted in all Norup and AMS locker rooms.
• New bathroom partitions have been installed.

Norup Gym

• New gym light installation is complete. 
• The new gym floor has been installed and the staining process is underway.
• The brick walls are ready for new padding to be installed.

AMS Gym

• The new gym floor has been installed.
• The brick walls are ready for new padding to be installed.
• The walls have been painted - ceiling will be painted at a later date.

BBB Gym

• The BBB gym floor replacement is complete.

Hurley Field: Phase II

• New field lights have been installed, and electricians continue to prepare them for use.
• The parking lot construction is underway, connecting the new parking lot to the existing.
• Renovations have begun on the Hurley Field restrooms. 
• The new visitor bleachers have been installed as well as fencing in front of the bleachers.
• Hurley Field and track is closed to the public for construction. BHS teams may use the field, following a controlled schedule, but the gates will not be open for public use until the project is complete.

AMS Foods Room

• The new vent hoods have been installed.
• HVAC and overhead mechanicals continue to be installed.

Roofing Projects - Sinking Fund

 

The District hired a roofing contractor to evaluate all roofs across the District and created a timeline to repair the most urgent needs first. 

• Summer roofing work is taking place at Norup and the Administrative Offices.
• The Administrative Offices work is nearly complete.
• Norup roofing will be completed before school starts.
• The District team is working to prepare bid documents for the 2027 roofing projects.

 

BHS Courtyard Construction

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Construction Update:

• The tunnel was demolished, utilities removed/relocated and the project passed its electrical inspection.
• The crew is backfilling the tunnel area and will place grass seed to reinstate the area to its original form.

Tyler Park - Sinking Fund

This joint park project combines Berkley Schools and the City of Oak Park properties. On the District side, a new Varsity softball field is being built with lights, permanent fence, dugouts, stands, scoreboard, bullpens and batting cages. The District property will also have a practice softball/baseball field for middle school students. On the City of Oak Park side, a multipurpose field will be updated to improve the drainage issues. A walking path will also be added to both properties to allow for a full path connecting the parking lots to the fields and for the community to enjoy. On the District side of the property a small restroom facility will be built as well.

Construction Update:

• Foundations have been poured for the new dugouts and backstop area.
• Structural steel is complete for the dugouts and masons are beginning their work. 

District Facilities Assessment

The District Facilities Assessment is complete. Integrated Design Solutions finalized the report and presented it to District administrators. The assessment will serve as a roadmap to the next projects and what to prioritize for the Bond savings and Sinking Fund dollars. The team will focus on maximizing the remaining budget to have the highest impact on system efficiencies and student and staff experiences.

Furniture and Fixture Upgrades

• Furniture installation began on July 27 and will continue through August 14.

Technology

• Additional call switch installations are 95% complete. The last 5% will be finished along with the building construction.
• AMS, Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill, Rogers, BBB and The Dens’s PA upgrades are complete. The Administrative Offices pre-test is up next.
• The sound system at the Performing Arts Center is installed and staff training will take place in August.
• Fiber and structured cable is being installed and coordinated for The BEAR Complex.
• The technology team is coordinating for the sound systems at The BEAR Complex.
• The technology team is reinstalling cameras, clocks and wireless access points in all the finished spaces as they open.