Iowa City firm wins $8.8 million contract for Marion’s new elementary school

MARION - The Marion Independent school board this week awarded an $8,845,000 contract to Woodruff Construction of Iowa City to build Longfellow Elementary, the district's newest school, in northeast Marion.

Construction is scheduled to begin as soon as possible with completion in time for the start of 2017-18 classes.

Woodruff was the low bidder among 11 firms, all with Iowa offices. The four lowest bids were all within $80,000 of each other.

The preschool through second grade school, slated as a replacement for Emerson Elementary, will be built between Eighth and 10th avenues and 29th and 31st streets. It will face south.

The new school includes 18 classrooms, some designed for storm shelter use, a media center, combination gymnasium and lunchroom and serving kitchen.