When Jenkins Middle School closed in December 2024 due to significant structural issues, the path forward required more than a repair. It required a solution that could restore safety, rebuild confidence, and create a space designed for the future. Bryan Construction, in partnership with CRP Architects, was engaged to deliver exactly that.
“This wasn’t just a repair. It was about creating long-term stability where it didn’t exist before.”
— Russell Drangstveit, Project Manager, Bryan Construction
Addressing the Root Cause
The challenge at Jenkins went beyond visible damage. Unstable, inconsistent soil conditions had compromised the building’s foundation, rendering surface-level repairs and shallow foundation solutions ineffective.
To address this, the team implemented deep foundation systems using micropiles and piers drilled into bedrock. In key areas, floors are now structurally supported independent of existing soil conditions, providing long-term performance and reliability.
This approach ensures the building is not just stabilized but fundamentally strengthened from the ground up.
Building While School Stays in Session
One of the most complex aspects of the project is that construction is happening alongside active school operations.
Students returned to campus early in the process, supported by temporary modular classrooms equipped with power and life-safety systems. At the same time, construction continues in carefully phased sequences designed to maintain safety and minimize disruption.
A New Space for the Next Generation of Learning
While structural stabilization is critical, the project also represents a transformation of the learning environment itself.
The existing 7th and 8th grade wing has been replaced with a new 24,000-square-foot, two-story classroom addition. Inside the existing building, renovations are creating more flexible, modern spaces that support how students learn today.
A New Space for the Next Generation of Learning
Key upgrades include:
- A redesigned media center with collaborative learning areas and a mezzanine level
- Dedicated STEM and robotics spaces for hands-on education
- Improved circulation and student flow throughout the building
- Updated systems, finishes, and infrastructure to support long-term use
These improvements ensure the school is not only safe but also equipped for the future.
Why This Project Matters
Projects like Jenkins highlight a unique challenge in construction. It is not just about building something new. It is about solving complex problems in real time, within active environments, where the outcome directly impacts a community. For Colorado Springs School District 11, this project restores a critical educational space.
For the construction industry, it demonstrates how thoughtful planning, engineering, and execution can come together to deliver meaningful, lasting results.
“Construction plays a central role in supporting spaces where people learn, grow, and move forward.”
— Russell Drangstveit, Project Manager, Bryan Construction
Looking Ahead
With an accelerated schedule and multiple phases underway, the project remains on track for completion ahead of the August 2026 school year.
What began as an urgent structural challenge is becoming something much more lasting. A stable, modern, and future-ready learning environment for the students and community it serves.
