Kraus-Anderson completes construction on six White Bear Lake School District projects, all part of state’s largest bond referendum

September 13, 2021

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (September 2021) – Kraus-Anderson (KA) has completed construction on six projects for the White Bear Lake School District.  The projects are part of a long-range facilities plan that in total includes 16 district projects, all funded by a 2019 $326 million school bond referendum, the largest in Minnesota history.

The projects, which address the district’s enrollment growth and building maintenance, represent the first phase of a construction plan that is anticipated to take place in phases until the 2024-25 school year.

The completed projects include White Bear Lake South Campus, Matoska International, and Lincoln, Vadnais Heights and Willow Lane Elementary Schools, and a Transportation Building.

• White Bear Lake Area High School – South Campus (will be converted to a middle school) (3551 McKnight Road North, White Bear Lake)
  The $5.2 million, 16,900-square-foot project features a new 14,500-square-foot gym, including a new entrance, vestibule, restrooms and storage. The remodel included constructing a corridor between the new addition and the existing gyms, and the installation of a new walk-in freezer in the kitchen. Designed by MLA Architects.
• Lincoln Elementary (1961 6th Street, White Bear Lake)
  The $8.4 million, 26,801-square-foot expansion features a new gym, storm shelter area, conference room and offices. The project included renovations to the cafeteria, kitchen, media center and bathrooms, as well as ADA improvements in the restrooms. The project also included a new parking lot, bus loop, asphalt, curbs, gutters and landscaping. Designed by Wold Architects and Engineers.
• Matoska International (2530 Spruce Pl., White Bear Lake)
  The $2.2 million, 11,000-square-foot project added two new classrooms, flex space, lockers, entrance and corridor. Renovations were made to the learning commons, classrooms and bathrooms, as well as ADA improvements in the restrooms.  A new walk-in freezer also was added to the kitchen.  Designed by Wold Architects and Engineers.
• Willow Lane Elementary – 3575 Willow Ave., White Bear Lake
  The $2.7 million, 3,775-square-foot project included a new addition to the media center and remodeled the kitchen, storage areas and bathrooms. as well as ADA improvements in the restrooms. Designed by Wold Architects and Engineers.
• Vadnais Heights Elementary School – 3645 Centerville Rd., White Bear Lake
  The $2.7 million, 7,100-square-foot project included a new maintenance addition and renovations to the kitchen, bathrooms and learning commons, as well as ADA improvements in the restrooms.  Designed by Wold Architects and Engineers.
• Transportation Facility – 13411 Fenway Blvd North, Hugo
  A new $9 million 12,900-square foot transportation facility will house, maintain and manage the district’s transportation vehicles and staff.

“Partnering with Kraus-Anderson has proven to be a great decision for White Bear Lake Area Schools,” said Dan Roeser, director of building operations for White Bear Lake Area Schools.  “Our projects had many challenges; Covid, workforce shortages, and supply chain issues to name a few, and somehow KA was able to keep them all on schedule and get kids back to school on time.  I am amazed by the entire KA Team and the expertise they bring to the table.  I can’t thank them enough and look forward to our continued relationship.”

COVID-19: KRAUS-ANDERSON’S COMMITMENT TO JOB SAFETY

As the world continues to deal with and adapt to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kraus-Anderson’s top priority remains safety. The company has implemented stringent social distancing practices and other elevated safety protocol on construction job sites, details of which can be found at KA’s COVID-19 Response Page.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson® Construction Company is one of the nation’s premier commercial general contractors and construction managers. Kraus-Anderson, an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.