Elementary School in Vienna Looking to Keep Modular, Trailers Until Renovation

As the Louise Archer Elementary School gears up for a renovation, the Vienna Planning Commission supports keeping temporary facilities at the school for a few more years.

Currently, there are two trailers and one 66-foot by 180-foot modular at the public school (324 Nutley Street NW).

The permits for the facilities are expected to expire later this year unless town officials grant an extension. Last night’s votes were a step in the direction for the temporary facilities to stay in place for the short-term.

The school used to have eight trailers before the modular replaced five of them.

“[The modular] provides additional capacity to alleviate the overcrowding at the school,” according to town documents, adding that the modular houses 10 classrooms, restrooms and storage and maintenance space.

The school is now poised for a renovation that will get rid of the two trailers and modular entirely.

John McGranahan, a lawyer representing Fairfax County Public Schools, told the Planning Commission last night that the planning and design for the renovation are in progress.

Permitting is slated to begin in 2021, followed by three years of construction from 2022-2025, McGranahan said, noting that the school will remain open while the work is underway and that most of the construction will happen during the summers.

The renovation is expected to be completed by August 2025. The trailers and modular would get removed once the work is finished, McGranahan said.

The Planning Commission voted in support of permits continuing the use of the modular for five years and the trailers for two years.

Image via Town of Vienna