UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Today, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson announced the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Blueprint Schools model for building six new schools was named Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year and Best Deal in North America, Editor’s Choice by infrastructure finance industry leader IJGlobal. The project is also a P3 Awards finalist for 2021 Social Infrastructure Project of the Year.
PGCPS is the first public school system in the nation to leverage a full-scope alternative financing model for a multi-school construction program. Groundbreakings were held this week for all six schools, including Adelphi, Drew-Freeman, Hyattsville, Kenmoor and Walker Mill middle schools and a new kindergarten through eighth grade academy in Fort Washington. Construction on all six schools begins this summer with completion set for July 2023.
“I have no doubt that other school systems in Maryland and beyond will look to Prince George’s County with admiration and inspiration for moving one step closer to ensuring that every child achieves their highest potential in modern school buildings,” said Dr. Goldson. “This is our blueprint for bold action, for fierce urgency, and as we will see on the first day of school two years from now, for success.”
Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners (PGCECP), a consortium including Fengate Asset Management, Gilbane Development Company, Gilbane Building Company, Stantec and Honeywell, will design, build, finance and maintain the schools. While it typically takes seven years from planning to building a school, the alternative financing model cuts that time in half to deliver long overdue schools.
The second-largest school system in the state, PGCPS has the second-oldest buildings in Maryland. More than half of the 208 schools are over 50 years old. Coupled with the school system’s capital improvement program, a total of nine schools will be under construction over the next three years.
For more information on the Blueprint Schools initiative, visit www.pgcpsblueprintschools.com.