Bridges Students Improve Community

Bridges Students Improve Community with 2021-22 Home Projects
Posted on 11/29/2021
Students and instructor The Bridges Construction & Renovation Program provides high school students a community-based, hands-on learning experience in the construction and renovation industries. Each school year, Bridges students work on building a house from the ground up in partnership with NeighborWorks® Green Bay. Students work with professional contractors to learn about structural design, building safety, blueprint reading, rough and finish construction, modern design and home improvements. Students also explore the application of carpentry, masonry, home wiring, plumbing and architectural design. Bridges students have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College while enrolled in the program. 

This school year, Bridges students are working on a new home build at 331 S. Irwin Street near Washington Middle School in Green Bay. The home will be a three bedroom, two bath single family home. The students will also build a 24'x24' detached garage. Students will work on the floor, walls, framing, siding, roofing and finished carpentry of the house. Because this house is a single story home with a smaller footprint, students will have the opportunity to do more roof framing, most of the drywall, and most of the finished carpentry. 

Bridges students will also have the opportunity to work on the renovation of a bungalow-style home at 420 S. Van Buren Street. The renovation is a two-family home built in 1919. Students will work on new trim/siding, replace windows and doors, work on dry wall/plaster, move walls, build a new front porch, practice finished carpentry, and restore some original features of the home. 

At the beginning of this school year, the Bridges program experienced some delays with permits and materials. The students were still able to gain construction experience by tearing off the shingles and reroofing the ticket booth and concession stand at West High School. The Green Bay Area Public School District Facilities Department was very appreciative for the additional help. 

To follow along with the progress of the new home build and renovation project, visit the Bridges Facebook page at facebook.com/BridgesConstructionRenovation, and their website at gbaps.org/bridges

The District offers many hands-on learning programs like Bridges, with the opportunity for students to earn college credits while in high school. Visit gbaps.org/why_choose_gbaps/district_programs for more information. 
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