Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea today joined Chicago Public Schools and the Public Building Commission on the south west side to cut the ribbon on the annexes at Esmond Elementary School and Mt. Greenwood Elementary School.

“An investment in our children is an investment in the future of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Together with Alderman O’Shea, we are proud to bring new state-of-the-art facilities and the extra space necessary to the support students and families on the south west side.”

“The Mt. Greenwood and Esmond annexes were critical investments to support our residents for generations to come,” said Alderman Matt O’Shea, 19th Ward. “I am proud to work with Mayor Emanuel to build a stronger future for our Beverly, Morgan Park and Mt. Greenwood residents.”

The two-story 20,000 square foot annex at Esmond Elementary School in Morgan Park replaced a deteriorating stand-alone modular building. The annex includes a classroom, computer lab, science lab, art room with storage, library, dining room, hybrid kitchen and dining area, administrative office, bathrooms, building storage, an elevator and building support space. The project also included a renovated parking lot, load area, refuse enclosure, storm water management infrastructure, a new outdoor playground, community garden, and a turf field. Renovations to the existing building included a new roof and repairs to the exterior envelope.

The two-story 27,000 square foot annex at Mt. Greenwood Elementary School in Mount Greenwood includes thirteen standard classrooms, a science lab, offices, storage and utility rooms, bathrooms and an elevator. Work within the school building includes converting two existing classrooms for expanded lunchroom capacity. The project also included building a new outdoor playground, a new parking lot and storm water management infrastructure.

“These state-of-the-art facilities expand opportunities for students to develop a passion for lifelong learning while laying the foundation for future success,” said CPS Chief Education Office LaTanya D. McDade.

These investments build on several upcoming and completed projects on the south west side since 2011. Opened in 2015, the 64,000 square foot Morgan Park Sports Center features a state of the art indoor ice rink facility and a world-class gymnastics center with concession areas, meeting and party rooms, viewing areas, offices, restrooms and team locker rooms. Mt. Greenwood Park last year was updated with a new walking path and outdoor exercise equipment. Upcoming projects include the addition of a new water feature at Graver Park.

Mayor Emanuel and CPS have addressed overcrowding at over 35 local schools in recent years, including Skinner West, Zapata, Dore, Dawes, Addams, Little Village, Bridge, Onahan, Ebinger, Pasteur, Canty, Byrne, Edwards, Dore, Garvey, Hale, Peck, Sauganash, and many more. The Mayor remains committed to working with communities to find innovative ways to relieve overcrowding.

Under Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, more than $3.2 billion has been invested in school infrastructure. Investments with CPS has included new schools and annexes, playgrounds and air conditioning, improvements and access to technology, new computers and expanded bandwidth, expanded academic programs and core facilities investments.