Loyal Heights Elementary has undergone a big change in the past couple years; they’ve added an expansion building and a new playground. The new section of the school will be open this school year, and there will be a celebration at the school on September 4th with tours, live music and food trucks.

The expansion was a capital levy project, approved by Seattle voters in 2013. The project controversial; community members protested the construction two years ago, saying it was an unnecessary use of taxpayers’ money.

The original building, built in 1932, now has a 54,000 square-foot addition to the south. There are new classrooms and a new gymnasium, and the library has been relocated into the lunchroom. The extension was designed to be energy efficient, with a geothermal system, displacement ventilation, and LED lighting.

The zoning for the school has also changed – here’s a map of the new attendance area.

The grand reopening festival starts at 2pm on September 4th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by alumni photographs at 3pm, and community welcome booths, kids activities, food trucks and live music from 3:30 to 6:30pm. School tours will be held from 3:30 to 6pm, and the playground will be open all afternoon. 25th Ave NW will be closed during the event, and the organizers ask that attendees park at least two blocks away from the school.