One of the first schools planned as part of Cincinnati Public Schools' massive decade-long construction project is designed to sit on 105 concrete columns 17 feet above the ground.

        The $19.7 million East End school will be built above the 100-year flood plain at Delta and Kellogg avenues, but officials say the school's design will keep it high above water if and when the Ohio River floods.

A computer rendering of the new East End Community School. (SFA Architects) | ZOOM |

        “(The 1997 flood) came about eight feet below the flood line we're designing for,” said E. Thomas Fernandez, architect with the downtown-based firm, SFA Architects Inc., which designed the school.

        Project designers unveiled plans for the 105,000-square-foot school Monday.

        Construction is slated to begin in winter 2003 and end in September 2004 so the two-story building can open for the 2004-05 school year. It will replace McKinley and Linwood elementary schools, but will serve students in pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

        “The design of the school is clearly not a cookie cutter design,” said school board member Harriet Russell.

        Nor is the make-up of the school.

        Officials said that's because parents from Linwood and McKinley schools, as well as community groups, church leaders, teachers and other organizations helped plan it over the last three years. District officials say they'll encourage community input for the design of every new school.

        The Linwood and McKinley groups fought for a school that accommodated elementary to high school kids, instead of just elementary students.

        “Children from the East End typically want to stay in their neighborhood,” said Melody Dacey, McKinley principal. “They have difficulty leaving the familiarity of their family, friends and neighborhood and going to a large high school. Many of them choose not to finish school rather than face the unknown. We feel this will really help more youngsters finish high school.”

        Those involved in the planning said this is an example of a true community school that will serve area residents and stay open day and night and on weekends. For example, the building has space for a YMCA, community policing office and a health center.

        “We think it's fantastic because the community was so hands-on,” said Dee Fricker, a McKinley school parent and chairwoman of the school's decision-making group. “This is truly a reflection of the community's values. It's really going to be a hub that everyone from every walk of life can take advantage of.”

        Some of the school's unique features include a piano-shaped multi-purpose commons area jutting out from one side of the building. The area will be used as a cafeteria during the day and can be opened into a performance stage. The commons area is surrounded by 12-foot-high windows, which take advantage of the school's river view.

        The exterior of the school is made up of dark brick and metal panels. The exterior also includes an archway about 36 feet high that leads to the school's riverside entrance and front steps.

        About three-fourths of the classrooms have a river view, Mr. Fernandez said. The other classrooms look out over the hillside.

        The school district has enough money to build the new East End school and the rest of the projects in the first phase of the district's 10-year building plan. The $1 billion project includes building 35 new schools and renovations of 31 more.

        School board members recently voted to place a $480 million bond issue on the Nov. 5 ballot that would finance the project's remaining three phases.

        McKinley, built in 1876, is scheduled to close in 2004 when the new school opens. Linwood, built in the late 1920s, then will house students from other district schools until around 2007 while their schools are under construction or being renovated. District officials say they will encourage redevelopment of schools that are closed but have a plan to demolish schools that are not marketable.

Free parking likely to end for Newport on the Levee patrons
Woman says she had hit list
Brother: Sister 'a rock' for family
City moves toward being model in bioterror fight
East End school plan unveiled
Ex-UC student admits over $470,000 in marijuana sales
Obituary: Louis Roth lived by setting example
Seniors warned of fraud
Supporters: Don't take library
Teens ready for championships
Tristate A.M. Report
Water tower in yard not sight owners want to see
BRONSON: Tainted vote
GUTIERREZ: Obscure board
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
SMITH AMOS: Spousal abuse
Bad timing to blame in sewage spill
Clermont planners approve Supercenter
Fairfield weighs justice unit
Innovative school opening
Political fund-raisers in high gear
State-of-the-art theme for new Monroe school
Environmental group tries to stop pipeline
Gov. Taft to start 'Amber Alert' to locate missing kids
Mother sentenced in newborn's death
College eyes deal with ex-president
Kenton refocuses on security
Kentucky News Briefs
Police: Man killed N. Ky. woman
Siblings feud over Wyatt estate