By: Maya Vossen-Nelson

This summer, Kraus-Anderson Construction will be revamping Highland Park’s very own cafeteria. The project preparation is already underway and construction begins in April. The cafeteria renovation is one step of a complete update of the Highland school complex.

Kraus-Anderson Construction has a prolific portfolio including updates to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and is currently undertaking the Hidden River Middle School (formerly Ramsey Middle School) renovation project.

In 2024, Kraus-Anderson Construction began renovations on the Middle School which will include renovations of the special education suite, administrative offices and parking lot along with classroom upgrades and gender neutral restrooms.

These projects are part of the Saint Paul Public School District’s Five-Year Facilities Maintenance and Capital Implementation Plan. Together with the Facilities Master Plan (FMP), the Five-Year Plan aims to equitably modernize the 73 buildings within the SPPS district to evolve to the needs of teaching and learning in the 21st century.

Current design plans and renderings show that Highland Park students should expect new geometric floor designs, new cafeteria seating including booths, high-tops, and circular lunch tables. The high school and middle school sides of the cafeteria will also be joined together to resolve lunch time congestion.

Upgrades for the cafeteria and two-story link are well needed at Highland Park whose lunch room sees nearly 2,000 students each day, far surpassing any other lunch room in the SPPS district.

Project scope and timeline for the projects affecting both the Senior High and Middle School:

• Spring 2025: Complete old administrative renovation (middle school); start renovation of kitchen and cafeteria space and new two-story link between middle school and senior high school.
• Summer 2025: Begin interior renovation of special education suite; complete classroom technology upgrades; replace gym floor; finish flooring and lighting upgrades.
• Fall 2025: Complete kitchen and cafeteria renovation and new two-story link; complete all earthwork and landscaping.

For more information visit:

SPPS Highland Park Renovation Details:

• https://www.spps.org/about/departments/facilities/planning-design-and-construction/spps-builds-major-capital-improvement-projects/major-capital-improvement-projects/highland-park-middle-school

SPPS Builds: Five-Year Facilities Maintenance and Capital Plan:

• https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1722009013/sppsorg/j5kxyg0k4fflr03lldrv/5YP_FY25-29_71124.pdf

Kraus-Anderson Remodel of Highland Park:

• https://www.krausanderson.com/about/news/kraus-anderson-begins-remodel-and-addition-at-highland-park-middle-school-in-st-paul/