Monroe Elementary School Reconstruction Project

The Santa Ana Unified School District proposes to partially demolish and reconstruct the Monroe ES campus. The proposed project will partially demolish and reconstruct the Monroe ES campus. The proposed project would demolish 13,905 square feet of the existing main building and reconfigure and modernize the remaining 27,800 square feet of interior space. The modernized building will include a lobby/welcome center; administrative offices/spaces; wellness/parent center; counselor, speech, and psych offices; teacher spaces; library; kitchen; lunch shelter; multipurpose room; four classrooms; restrooms; and storage rooms. The modernized building will also include an open ceiling with a taller roof in the center of the existing building. The proposed project would also construct a new 2-story classroom building (35,310 square feet) with 20 classrooms north of the main building. The two-story classroom building would include breakout rooms, staff workroom, de-escalation rooms, restrooms, and accessory spaces (e.g. storage and machine room). The buildings will include space for core academic classrooms, library/idea center, arts and creative learning spaces, physical education and recreation areas, food service and dining facilities, administrative offices, a health suite, and building support areas. The proposed project will also address core infrastructure needs, such as adding storage, IDF/electrical rooms, riser rooms, and custodial spaces. The proposed project would result in a net decrease of five total classrooms (29 existing classrooms reduced to 24 classrooms). Compared to current functional classrooms, the proposed project would result in a net decrease of one total classroom (25 functioning classrooms reduced to 24 classrooms). The proposed project would have an enrollment capacity of 577 students (a reduction of 48 seats compared to existing conditions). The proposed project will construct a new one-way vehicle drive aisle and fire lane that would run along the western side of the campus and would span the length of the project site. Vehicles would enter via an existing driveway on Center Avenue on the south end of the project site and exit on Warner Avenue on the north end of the project site. As part of this improvement, a new driveway would be constructed to connect to Warner Avenue. A new parent and bus drop-off area will also be provided on the northern part of this drive aisle. This design will reduce vehicle congestion and improve student safety by separating vehicle types and minimizing walking distance for students. A landscape barrier will be installed between this drive aisle and the existing bike lane. This drive aisle would require the removal of one existing parking space. Existing driveways on Central Avenue, drive aisles, and internal circulation would remain. The proposed project will also enhance and reconfigure outdoor spaces throughout the campus. A large multi-use playfield will be developed on the northern portion of the project site with striped areas for soccer and other field sports. New hardcourts striped for multiple sports would also be provided to the east of the new 2-story classroom building. West of the existing main building, a library outdoor area and dedicated kindergarten playground will be constructed. East of the existing main building, an outdoor track will be constructed around a landscaped play area. Site improvements will also include new bike parking, lighting along the adjacent bike lane, and landscape barriers to separate the bike path from vehicle lanes. Red curbs, sidewalks, and both new and existing crosswalks would be provided to improve circulation and safety. Trees and landscaping would be installed throughout the site to provide shade and visual relief. The proposed project would benefit the Monroe ES students, teachers and staff and the broader SAUSD community by providing new, modern academic facilities and updating aging buildings and infrastructure onsite.