Walnut Elementary Construction
Building For The FutureWalnut Elementary Upgrades
This project will build a new storm shelter gym and four new classrooms. Existing classrooms will be renovated. The front office will be expanded for the necessary student support spaces and include a new more secure building entry. The kitchen will be expanded, and the current gym/cafeteria will become a cafeteria and multipurpose space. Work will upgrade building mechanical and electrical systems.
Photo Update: 8/31/2021






Photo Update: 7/21/2021







Photo Update: 6/17/2021








Photo Update: 5/05/2021
Photos By: Matthew Fowler – Emporia Public Schools Community Relations






Project Update: 4/05/2021
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction



Project Update: 3/02/2021
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction



Project Update: 2/10/2021
Classroom Addition joist and deck install is complete. We will be installing the classroom roof and brick as the weather allows. Precast erection for the Multi-Purpose Room is complete. We are currently erecting the joist and deck at this area.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction


Project Update: 1/18/2021
Loading bearing CMU (concrete masonry unit) walls at the Classroom Addition wrapped up this past week. We anticipate erecting the joist and deck this week for the Classroom Addition. Precast for the Multi-Purpose room will start towards the end of the month.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction



Project Update: 12/17/2020
Slab on grade placement for the classrooms took place last week. Crews started laying up CMU block this week and in-wall rough-in has started. Steel erection will follow CMU walls.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction



Project Update: 12/04/2020
Plumbing underground rough-in is complete in the classroom areas. Slab prep has started and electrical underground will be going at the same time. Next week we will bore the sanitary line from the new addition to Grove Ave. We look to make a slab placement next week as long as the weather holds. Masonry walls will follow.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction


Project Update: 11/20/2020
Concrete footings and foundation walls have been placed. Crews backfilled foundation walls this week and plumbing underground has started which will be followed by electrical underground. We are looking at placing the 1st slab on grade after Thanksgiving Break.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction



Project Update: 11/6/2020
Crews are currently digging footings and tying reinforcing steel. Footings are scheduled to pour this week, followed by foundation wall placement early next week. After foundation walls are placed, we will backfill them and start plumbing underground.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction


Project Update: 10/23/2020
The majority of the building pad is complete. Crews started footings this week and foundation wall installation will start next week.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction


Project Update: 10/9/2020
Walnut Elementary is off to a good start. We had a Groundbreaking Ceremony last week with USD 253, HTK Architects, and McCownGordon Construction. Currently, site demo is complete and Landworx is constructing the building pad for the new South Addition. Footings are scheduled to start late this month.
Pete Smith
Project Superintendent – McCownGordon Construction


