KINGMAN – A Scottsdale-based firm will breathe new life into the historic Palo Christi Elementary school in downtown Kingman. Sun Valley Builders has been awarded a $5.24-million bid to renovate portions of the building located at 500 Maple St.
“We are not changing any of the infrastructure of the main building, other than widening the doors and adding the ADA ramp and putting in sprinkler systems,” Superintendent Gretchen Dorner said during the July meeting of the Kingman Unified School District (KUSD) governing board. “We are following the guidelines for the state Historical Preservation Act to make sure that the school meets all of the requirements that are necessary.”
The KUSD is using Covid-related grant money to fund phase one that will return the property to suitability for education. Asbestos and lead mitigation work was previously completed at the school which now stands ready for a host of roofing, heating and cooling, plumbing, electric and other basic upgrades.
Work will commence quickly in concert with a goal to complete the improvements by the end of this year. Dorner said there’s hope the building could welcome back some students by next summer.
“We’re excited about placing some of those kids back in Palo Christi as a historical building so that this generation can experience exactly what many, many generations all the way back to 1928 have experienced, a great education in beautiful downtown Kingman in one of the original buildings,” Dorner said. “Our community is growing and we do need a place for students as new families are arriving in the community. So, instead of new construction, let’s preserve the original building.”
Dorner said the KUSD is forming a committee that will work to determine specific education use for the property during the renovation campaign.
Dave Hawkins
