Mayor Jones, City Council and Richmond Public Schools Kick off MLK Construction

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Mayor Dwight C. Jones kicked off the demolition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School today in preparation for the construction of a new, state of the art, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (MLK). Mayor Jones, joined by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Yvonne Brandon, MLK Principal Valerie Harris along with City Council members and School Board Members from the 6th and 7th districts, watched as an excavating machine took a chunk out of one of the buildings that will come down.

“Today is a clear indication of the progress that we’ve made toward building new schools,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “With the start of our construction today, we are on our way to opening this new school in January of 2014.”

The Jones Administration has broken ground on two new elementary schools since taking office and today’s action was the first taken on a new middle school. A new high school is also planned.

MLK was originally constructed in 1964. Mayor Jones listed out the amenities the new school will have, including:

A dual wireless system throughout the building,

Fully ADA compliant,

Fully integrated HVAC system to include air conditioning,

Dedicated science classrooms,

A dedicated community room,

Modern technology to include Smart boards in each classroom,

LEED Silver rating,

Fully renovated auditorium,

A clinic and pre-K center.

Participating in today’s demolition ceremony were 6th District City Council Member and Council Vice President Ellen Robinson, 7th District City Council Member Cynthia Newbille, 6th District School Board Member Chandra Smith, 7th District School Board Member Don Coleman, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Yvonne Brandon and MLK Principal Valerie Harris.

Click here to view the start of building demolition.