We are excited to announce the substantial completion of P.S. 487, a new public school in the South Bronx. Located at 639 Saint Ann's Avenue in the Melrose section of the Bronx, this four-story facility is set to accommodate over 500 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade for the 2024-2025 school year.
P.S. 487 represents a significant advancement in educational infrastructure. The building covers 85,000 square feet and includes 32 rooms designed to support effective learning. This includes four pre-kindergarten classrooms, three kindergarten classrooms, 15 standard classrooms, and a District 75 special education component with eight classrooms, two speech/resource rooms, and spaces for occupational and physical therapy.
The facility features a well-designed outdoor space with a 3,400-square-foot play area that includes a basketball court, a volleyball court, a small track, and a vibrant garden that will serve students and teachers alike. This emphasis on outdoor recreation highlights a commitment to providing a comprehensive educational environment.
Constructing P.S. 487 involved careful planning and execution. The building was constructed with a steel superstructure and enclosed by over 200 large 30-by-10-foot precast concrete panels, which allowed for an efficient construction process starting in October 2021. The pile-driven foundation supports slab on grade, minimizing soil removal and eliminating the need for a basement.
"Thanks to the collaboration between the School Construction Authority and our team at Forte Construction, as well as our vendors and subcontractors, we are pleased to deliver this new school building ahead of the next school year," said Project Manager Dan Villandre. "Our team built this school from the ground up, and we are proud that P.S. 487 will serve the South Bronx community for many years to come."
As P.S. 487 prepares to open, we acknowledge the combined efforts that made this project possible. This new school will be a valuable asset to the community, creating an environment where students can succeed! We look forward to seeing the positive impact P.S. 487 will have on the South Bronx and the new opportunities it will bring to students and their families.
