Garco Construction Inc., of Spokane, has been awarded a $4.95 million contract for new roofs and heating, venting, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems at Garfield and Longfellow elementary schools here, the first construction-related improvements Spokane Public Schools will fund with the $288 million bond voters passed last month.

Mark Anderson, associate superintendent for school support services, says the work will be done this summer while students are on break. The two schools—Garfield, at 222 W. Knox, and Longfellow, at 800 E. Providence, both on Spokane's North Side—are among those with what Anderson calls the 1980-era prototype design. The roofs and HVAC systems at the two schools are at the end of their useful lives, he says. New flooring was put in at the schools in 2007.

The planned work is being done to extend the life of the schools, to make them more energy efficient, and to improve air quality inside the buildings, Anderson says. The work will include complete removal and replacement of the HVAC systems, and roofs at each school.

Garco named Spokane companies Mackin & Little Inc. as the plumbing subcontractor, Pro Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. as the mechanical subcontractor, and Accurate Electric as the electrical subcontractor, Anderson says.

Bernardo-Wills Architects PC, of Spokane, did the design work for the projects, Anderson says.

He says other 1980-era prototype elementary schools will receive similar upgrades from 2010 through 2014, including Audubon, at 2020 W. Carlisle; Cooper, at 3200 N. Ferrall; Holmes, at 2600 W. Sharp; Mullan Road, at 2616 E. 63rd; Roosevelt, at 333 W. 14th; Whitman, at 5400 N. Helena; and Woodridge, at 5100 W. Shawnee. The plan is to complete upgrades at about two schools per summer, he says.

The district says architects will be selected this spring for several other major projects, including modernizations of Ferris High School, at 3020 E. 37th; Westview Elementary, at 6104 N. Moore; Finch Elementary, at 3717 N. Milton; Hutton Elementary, at 908 E. 24th; and Jefferson Elementary, at 3612 S. Grand Blvd.