Like much of the Linden Park neighborhood on the far West side, the site for the new elementary school there is currently undeveloped and snow covered. But much prep work is getting done before ground is broken in late April or early May.

The MMSD is working with:

• The developer (Veridian) to coordinate streets and site infrastructure such as water, sewer, curbs, gutters and sidewalks
• City Planning for approval of the school's design
• City Parks for use of the park properties that surround the school
• The architect to finalize the project so that it can go out for bids to general contractors in early March, with bids due around the end of March.

If all goes as planned, in April the administration will recommend a general contractor to the Board of Education for approval. Once the contractor is determined, groundbreaking will follow soon after.

The community can get involved in this new school lead-up — by suggesting a name. The school district is seeking suggestions for the name of the new school. Anyone can submit a name for consideration by completing a form that's available by clicking here, and submitting it by 4 p.m. on February 23rd, 2007.

"We encourage community members and organizations to submit name suggestions," said Superintendent Art Rainwater. "A wide variety of suggestions from the community will help us as we make this decision."

The form that needs to be submitted can also be obtained by calling 663-1879, or stopping by Room 100 of the school administration building, 545 West Dayton Street. The form is available in Spanish, as well as English.

The Board of Education will make the final decision on the school name after receiving comments from the public. A public hearing on all the suggested names is tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 19th. The Board will decide the new name no later than April 16, 2007.

The new school — with its new name — is scheduled to open in September, 2008.

Other Related Links

• Google Map showing location of proposed Linden Park School