Feb. 16, 2024

Architect firms selected for new Towne Acres Elementary School

On Thursday, Feb. 15, Johnson City Commissioners approved a contract for Thomas Weems Architects and Lewis Group Architects, initiating the design phase for a new Towne Acres Elementary School.

An early conceptual plan was shared with Commissioners during Thursday’s work session but finalized designs for the future Towne Acres Elementary School are not expected until mid-2025. Construction will begin following design approval.

The proposed facility, with an estimated cost of $40 million, will accommodate close to 750 students, exceeding the current school’s maximum capacity of 400. Students and faculty have outgrown the current school, which was built in 1966. The design of the new school will be able to accommodate a space ranging from 100,000 to 120,000 square feet.

“Our schools boast exceptional teachers, staff and administrators who excel in their roles,” said Mayor Todd Fowler. “Both the faculty and students deserve facilities that reflect the high standard of their accomplishments. The two architects chosen to design the new Towne Acres School are experienced in school construction design, and I feel confident they can deliver on the promise we made to the community.”

The current school will remain open during all phases of construction.

The portfolios for Thomas Weems Architects and Lewis Group Architects include laboratory construction for Science Hill High School, a classroom extension for Lake Ridge Elementary School, and projects for the Elizabethton City School system.

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