Schools
Thurston Middle School Revamping Project Well Underway
Ken Aries gives an update on the paving and landscaping at Thurston Middle School.
A revamping project at that was is now fully underway, officials said this week, with the project on track to be finished by August 19.
The is to the roadway, landscaping and sidewalk near the building, and aims to make it level with the road stretching from Nahatan to High Street. The point is to remove the hill-like walk at the school.
Ken Aries, Westwood Public Schools Director of Operations, explained that the paving section of the project is completely on target and should be completed by the third week of August.
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Currently, a binding coat has been laid down and crews are waiting for delivery of granite curbing, Aires said.
The entire front of the building will have granite curbing and a new handicap access ramp, he added. The sidewalks have also been leveled, and the width has increased to eight feet around the side of the building.
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Aries said that the paving will be concluded before open houses begin.
“Paving is coming along nicely,” said Aries. “We are very pleased with the improvement that has been done.”
Landscaping, meanwhile, is coming along, Aries said, but has been a bit more behind schedule. Improvements have been made to the grade of the hill and more than 50 trees have been added. Aries said that dead trees have been cut down, and pruning will be done this week.
There are another 30 trees that will be planted in late August or early September due to the nature of the trees. The trees are being shipped from North Carolina, and at this point they actually appear dead, Aries said.
However, the trees go into a dormant period, such as grass when it is extremely hot. Aries said that he fully expects the trees to be fine, but if they are not, they will be replaced.
“The trees and landscaping work are guaranteed for a year,” said Aries. “They will be replaced by the landscaping company if they don’t come back.”
He added, “The hill work will tie into the rest of the work on 109 to beautify it. It is like the last piece of the puzzle and should look nice when it’s all done.”
Landscaping should be finished within the next two weeks.
