Key Points
- Milestone in the Project: The rebuilding of the Adams Elementary School, which dates back 116 years, is making progress towards a successful completion of the project in summer 2027, thus opening for operation before the 2027–28 academic session.
- Funding and Background: The design of the school has been funded from the initial funding provided by the 2015 Spokane Public Schools (SPS) bond, whereas the construction is funded completely through the 2025 SPS bond under the Together Spokane project.
- Temporary Relocation: As per the relocation program conducted during December 2025 after a community open house meeting, the students and teachers were relocated during the winter vacation to “Camp Adams,” which would be operating at the Jefferson Elementary School situated at 37th Avenue and Grand Boulevard.
- Demolition and Groundbreaking: Demolition and clearing of the outdated building of 1909 commenced in February 2026, and an official groundbreaking ceremony was organized on May 14, 2026.
- Modern Amenities and Partnerships: Designed by NAC Architecture and constructed by Garco Construction, the new multi-level facility will have 20,000 square feet more area compared to the existing one, will be ADA compliant and will include a Boys & Girls Club of Spokane County program space.
Spokane (Evening Washington News) September 1, 2026 – The reconstruction project for Spokane’s historic Adams Elementary School is gathering significant momentum as local stakeholders push forward with timelines aiming for a brand-new facility ready to welcome students by the summer of 2027.
Serving the south Spokane community for well over a century, the aging 116-year-old campus has finally reached the operational threshold where complete structural replacement outweighs continuous, costly maintenance.
Backed by community-driven bond funding and meticulous planning by Spokane Public Schools, the initiative represents a major milestone in modernising the region’s educational infrastructure while preserving local history and heritage.
Why Is the Rebuild of Adams Elementary Necessary?
As reported by Spokane Public Schools through official district documentation, Adams Elementary originally dates back to 1909 with additional expansions in 1917, making it one of the oldest operating school facilities in the entire district. Over the decades, the building suffered from severe functional obsolescence, structural inefficiency, and compliance shortcomings.
As noted in district reports published by Spokane Public Schools, the aging facility relied on an outdated steam heating system that proved notoriously difficult to maintain, regulate, and balance against exterior weather fluctuations.
Furthermore, the multi-decade layout completely lacked Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance features, notably lacking an elevator and proper vertical ramp access. Consequently, students residing within the regular Adams attendance boundaries who required specific physical mobility accommodations historically had to transfer to alternate elementary schools.
Addressing these long-standing deficits, Superintendent Dr. Adam Swinyard explained to KXLY journalist teams that while the district takes immense pride in extending the useful life of its educational properties, structural realities inevitably dictate renewal. As Dr. Swinyard stated to KXLY:
“There’s a lot to be proud of in our district’s ability to extend the useful life of buildings as far as we possibly can. After a hundred years, we get to the point where modernizing, replacing, is a much better stewardship of the taxpayers’ dollar and that resource is to provide that new space for kids.”
How Did the Transition to Camp Adams Take Place?
To ensure zero disruption to student learning curves while clearing the path for heavy construction equipment, the Spokane Public Schools administration orchestrated a smooth transition strategy. Following a well-attended community open house held in early December 2025, students, faculty, and staff packed their belongings and officially relocated during the winter break.
As detailed by Spokane Public Schools correspondents, the entire school community temporarily settled into “Camp Adams,” situated at the former Jefferson Elementary School building located at 37th Avenue and Grand Boulevard. This historical site had previously served as a reliable temporary campus for other south Spokane elementary schools undergoing major capital renovations.
District operational guidelines confirmed that students residing within the official Adams attendance boundaries received scheduled bus transportation directly to the temporary site, whereas children who chose into the program via open enrollment continued managing their independent transit. Principal Beth Nye shared her enthusiasm with KHQ reporters regarding the community spirit during the relocation, noting that anticipation for a state-of-the-art facility outweighed the bittersweet nature of leaving the legacy campus. Principal Beth Nye stated to KHQ:
“It will be ADA accessible. It will be a modern facility for modern learning. It’s very exciting for our community. We’ve been waiting for this for many, many years.”
What Does the Demolition and Construction Timeline Look Like?
With the campus successfully vacated by the close of 2025, heavy machinery swiftly moved onto the original 37th and Regal property. According to project breakdowns shared by KXLY and local construction logs, demolition and comprehensive site clearing commenced in February 2026.
By April 2026, structural demolition was nearly finalised, clearing the way for Garco Construction of Spokane to lay down foundational groundwork. The formal kickoff culminated on May 14, 2026, when hundreds of students, alumni, parents, and local dignitaries converged for an official groundbreaking ceremony.
Elected leaders and district officials—including Spokane School Board president Jenny Slagle, board directors Mike Wiser and Nicole Bishop, Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldref, and City Council member Zach Zappone—joined the celebration. Reflecting on the emotional weight paired with structural progress, School Board president Jenny Slagle remarked during the ceremony, as documented by Spokane Public Schools updates:
“While there’s emotion in saying goodbye to a familiar building, what comes next represents something hopeful — an investment in students and families and the future of this community.”
What Modern Features Will the New Adams Elementary Include?
When construction wraps up in the summer of 2027, the revamped school will open its doors for the 2027–28 academic year boasting a significantly upgraded footprint. According to architectural blueprints completed by NAC Architecture of Spokane, the upcoming multi-storey building will be approximately 20,000 square feet larger than the original structure.
Crucially, the brand-new campus will feature modern elevators, robust security protocols, energy-efficient building systems, and optimized classroom spaces tailored for contemporary digital-era learning. Additionally, a notable collaboration under the Together Spokane initiative incorporates dedicated, modern space for Boys & Girls Club of Spokane County programming, turning the school into a comprehensive neighborhood hub for youth development well beyond regular school hours.
With construction progressing steadily on schedule and safely within fiscal allocations, community members can continue tracking monthly milestones and photographic updates through the dedicated tracking portal at TogetherSpokane.org/Adams as Spokane counts down toward the grand reopening in 2027.
