SPOKANE, Wash. — A groundbreaking ceremony for the modernization of Franklin Elementary was held Tuesday morning.
The school, located on the South Hill, is set to get an upgrade following a bond approved by voters back in 2015.
Associate Superintendent, Dr. Mark Anderson, said the school is now a part of the National Register of Historic Places. Franklin Elementary was built over one hundred years ago.
Principal of Franklin Elementary, Buzz Hollingsworth, said the modernization of the elementary school is scheduled to finish in January 2019 with an addition of a new three story building.
“We’ll keep the historic building and remodel it,” Hollingsworth said. “Then we’ll renovate and build a new three story addition right next to the historic building.”
The principle said the renovation initiative is a collaborative effort to help take care of Spokane schools and the community of Franklin Elementary is excited to be a part of the National Register of Historic Places.
“It means that this is a place that is a treasure not only in Spokane, not only in Washington, but in the country as a historic building,” Hollingsworth said.