LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Less than six months after it celebrated the grand opening of its new $5.5 million Joseph & Helen Lowe Institute for Innovation, St. Edward High School has announced a $7 million expansion that will add a new main entrance and a student commons with dining space on the south side of the Detroit Avenue campus.

"From a dining perspective, our cafeteria is the original from when the school was founded in 1949," St. Edward High School Vice President of Institutional Advancement Paul Mocho said. "The ability to deliver good service and healthy food to our students and faculty has been really hampered in the space we have right now.

"Also, our dining space is currently located in the lower level of the school, so there's no natural light in there. The commons will offer an above-ground experience with lots of windows."

Construction is set to begin in June with an August 2020 completion date. The commons will feature seating on the main floor, as well as in a mezzanine that connects directly to the second level of the existing school building.

Not only does the 15,000-square-foot addition provide space to host future school, fundraising and community events, but the new main entrance adds a safety component the existing building entryway lacks.

"Our traditional entrance into the center of the school is across a long walkway," Mocho said. "People traditionally use an entrance closer to the parking lot, which is our gym door entrance.

"We have a camera on that door for our receptionist to buzz people in. So having a physical presence at that entrance we feel adds a level of security."

Mocho said the recently announced expansion, as well as the Joseph & Helen Lowe Institute for Innovation -- which enhances the school's science, engineering and entrepreneurship programs by providing students access to 3D printers, laser cutters, engravers and more -- were products of the school's strategic planning process.

A new St. Edward High School strategic plan will determine the future use of the existing basement cafeteria area.

"We're trying to make sure we have a great experience for our students, faculty and staff," Mocho said. "This also goes beyond the school day. To have this kind of space to use for our entire community will be very helpful."

Lakewood Director of Planning and Development Bryce Sylvester agreed, noting that the addition is good for the city.

"This project is representative of the strong leadership at St. Ed's and the commitment of delivering high-quality facilities and education to the students, faculty, alumni and to Lakewood," Sylvester said.

"Lakewood is fortunate to have visionary leadership in both the public and private educational systems that are focused on delivering excellent educational facilities for students to learn and grow."