Gestalt Power Center Academy Middle School and Performing Arts Center are the first buildings to launch inside Eden Square, a new 43-acre community redevelopment project at the corner of Winchester Road and Mendenhall Road.
The new middle school, which houses 450 middle students, opened on August 1. On September 17, the school will celebrate its opening with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Power Center Academy Middle School formed as a charter school in 2008, with a focus on business, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and community service.
The school was built at the site of the former 394-unit Marina Cove apartments, which were torn down in 2010 after sitting abandoned and blighted for many years with a lot of drug activity.
“The ribbon-cutting represents the first phase of a larger, global community partnership between Gestalt Community Schools, Power Center Community Development Corporation, and Habitat for Humanity, with great support from city and county government,” said Yetta Lewis, co-founder and CEO of Gestalt Community Schools.
EMJ and Montgomery Martin Construction handled Phase I construction work for the $10 million to $12 million project. Fleming & Associates handled the architectural design, which features a spectacular second-floor art studio classroom with floor to ceiling windows.
“We are looking at having a good balance of creative expression for our kids highlighting their talents, as well as core academics,” said Lewis. “The new performing arts center will serve as the school auditorium, but we as a community school want it to be multi-purpose. After school and on weekends, we want it to be a community area for performing arts.”
The PAC building is also one of the only storm shelters in the Hickory Hill area, and it was funded by FEMA.
Phase II of Eden Square’s development will consist of the launch of residential housing, which could include up to 20 homes.
“Many of the families that attend the schools who are in need of housing will be able to take advantage of being one of the first families to move into the Eden Square community,” said Lewis.
Eden Square’s master plan also includes a wellness center, a retail complex and possibly some seniors housing.
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