Hidden River Middle School construction delay

On behalf of Saint Paul Public Schools’ Facilities Department, we are writing to update you on the status of Hidden River Middle School’s remodeling project.

Due to unexpected issues discovered during construction at the Hidden River building on Summit Avenue, the move back to the renovated building will be delayed until after winter break next year. Hidden River at 1700 Summit Ave. will fully reopen and welcome students back on January 5, 2026. Originally, the reopening of the school was scheduled for early August 2025.

We know this delay is disappointing. Remodeling a 100-year-old building comes with the possibility that unexpected structural issues hidden behind walls or under foundations may impact the original timeline.

The issues that were discovered after walls were torn down in some areas of the building were primarily columns and beams that do not meet modern building codes and need to be rebuilt. Before remodeling can continue, these issues must be fixed, which delays the original schedule by four weeks. That delay means that Hidden River cannot be occupied the first few weeks of school in fall 2025, making winter break in December 2025 the earliest possible time to move back into Hidden River.

Until then, students and staff will remain at the Wilson building and begin the 2025-26 school year there.

Despite this schedule change, our Hidden River Middle School community is amazing and resilient. Together, we will celebrate our school’s new remodel when we return in January 2026.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please contact Angela Otteson, Project Manager, Facilities Department, angela.otteson@spps.org or 651-279-3323.

Sincerely,

Jackie Turner, Executive Chief, Administration & Operations

Kathy Wallace, Interim Director, Facilities Department

Teresa Vibar, Principal, Hidden River Middle School