SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Shaker Heights City School District, Gilbane Building Company, and GPD Group joined district officials, community members, and students for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official start of construction of the Ludlow Elementary School Improvement project.
The event marks a significant milestone in the district’s commitment to providing educational facilities for its students. The renovation and addition of Ludlow Elementary School aims to transform the existing building into an expanded preschool site, scheduled to open as the Ludlow Early Learning Center in fall 2025.
“We are incredibly excited about the renovation of the Ludlow school building and our partnerships with Gilbane Building Company and the GPD Group,” said David Glasner, Ph.D., Shaker Heights City School District Superintendent. “This project will allow the Shaker Heights Schools to expand our preschool center and provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for our youngest students starting in fall 2025. This project represents a significant investment in the future of our community, ensuring that every child has access to high-quality early education opportunities.”
Key features of the renovated Ludlow building include:
- Preschool classrooms: Spacious and well-equipped classrooms designed to foster creativity, curiosity, and early learning
- Easy restroom access: Thoughtfully designed restroom facilities for the convenience of students and staff
- Therapy spaces: Dedicated areas to support students’ physical, occupational, and speech therapy needs
- Outdoor learning areas: Safe and engaging outdoor spaces where children can explore, play, and learn
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“We are thrilled to once again support the Shaker Heights community with new educational spaces,” said Kyle Merrill, Gilbane’s Senior Vice President and Cleveland Business Leader. “This project goes far beyond construction for our team; it reflects our deep connection with Shaker Heights, where we’ve been building since 2018. We take immense pride in supporting the Shaker Heights community, whether it’s mentoring Shaker Heights high school students in the ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland, providing jobs for skilled tradespeople, creating opportunities for local and diverse trade contractors, or building the next home for residents in the Van Aken District at the Raye, we are dedicated to cultivating real impact for the people and city.”
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services — from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services — for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. Gilbane is a leading construction manager in the Northeast Ohio market and averages more than $500 million in revenue in the state annually.
