Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Minnesota District Completes $49.7M Addition, Renovation Project

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/17/26

Key Takeaways

  • St. Paul Public Schools completed a $49.7 million project renovating and expanding Hidden River Middle School and updating Wilson School, with construction finishing in December 2025.
  • The Hidden River project modernized nearly 100,000 square feet and added new space, improving security, classrooms, infrastructure systems, and accessibility features.
  • Sustainability was a key focus, incorporating energy-efficient systems, geoexchange heating and cooling, and drought-resistant landscaping with native plants.

St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $49.7-million addition and remodeling project at two district schools, according to a news release. The district partnered with DLR Group for design services and with Kraus-Anderson for construction, which finished in December 2025.

The Hidden River Middle School project involved remodeling almost 98,500 square feet of interior space and building a new addition totaling 10,800 square feet. Its scope includes new administrative offices, a more visitor-friendly and secure main entrance, updated classrooms, an upgraded kitchen, updated AV equipment, new HVAC and electrical systems, more inclusive restrooms, and partially replacing the roof, the news release reports.

Photo courtesy of Kraus-Anderson
Hidden River Middle School
Photo courtesy of Kraus-Anderson

The project website also discusses sustainability practices included in the renovated space. These include energy-efficient mechanics and systems, as well as a geoexchange heating and cooling system. New spaces were built with sustainable building materials, and outdoor landscaping uses “native, drought-resistant plants” and a drought-resistant seed mix that can also endure foot traffic.

Local news reports that the original Hidden River Middle School facility was built in the 1920s.

According to the news release, interior renovations at Wilson School—also part of St. Paul Public Schools—are also complete. These renovations included expanding classroom sizes and converting a locker room into a cafeteria expansion, according to local news.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • New City School

    Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Transforming New City School

    When New City School in St. Louis suffered catastrophic flood damage in July 2022, the event could have marked a serious setback for the 100-year-old institution. Instead, it became a forward-looking opportunity.

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • Indiana Wesleyan University Schedules Grand Opening for New Welcome Center

    Indiana Wesleyan University recently announced that it will soon open a new Welcome Center on its campus in Marion, Ind., according to a news release. The facility will serve as the home base for prospective students and their families to learn more about the university and student life there. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for February 19.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.