In a process expected to conclude before Thanksgiving, crews have begun working to tear down Sandy Hook Elementary School to clear the way for a new $50 million building to eventually take its place.
The school is being dismantled wing-by-wing, as asbestos removal company Bestech is still working on a hazardous materials abatement. First Selectman Pat Llodra told Patch it's essential to use a methodical process in clearing the site.
"We have to get rid of the hazardous materials on the site before we can do anything else," she said last week.
Crews will salvage some material from the site, according to the Danbury News-Times, including the flagpole and a set of dinosaur tracks. In addition, crews are expected to keep an eye out for several time capsules presumed to be somewhere on the property.
In August, former student Wendy Leahy Mitchell told Patch she believes at least one time capsule is buried on the grounds. Afterwards, other residents came forward to report their memories of time capsules on the property.
Construction contractors Consiglii & Sons will continue supervising the project as the months go on. Architects Svigals + Partners are expected to produce schematics for a new school by January.
Construction and abatement crews are operating under a strict non-disclosure agreement, which prohibits them from taking photos, removing unauthorized materials or talking about their work on the site. At a meeting last week, Selectman James Gaston said the agreement was established to keep images from the school from going viral on social media.
Town officials have said a new school could open as soon as the 2016 school year.
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