The Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District Intermediate School Renovation and Expansion project encompassed several challenges. Contractor Gilbane Building Co. had to demolish a three-story classroom building built in 1940, renovate 35,000 sq ft of the original 1914 high school and 1940 gymnasium and construct a 55,000-sq-ft, three-story classroom wing and cafeteria.

The demolished section was located between the original 1914 Chagrin Falls High School and the 1940 gymnasium. To preserve the historic buildings that were to remain, Gilbane had to implement efficient removal of debris, ensure dust control and maintain overall site cleanliness during demolition. A bigger challenge arose when tests revealed the 1914 building would not be strong enough to hold the mechanical systems. Stantec and Gilbane developed a grid system from which to hang all the mechanical, electrical and piping; the system penetrated the floor above and was locked in by the underlayment.

“You always face challenges – labor shortages, time constraints, etc.,” says Keri Ash, Gilbane senior project manager. “We built a really strong connection with the Board of Education.”

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