ST. LOUIS, MO  Tarlton Corp. completes the renovation of Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls, Missouri's first all-girls public charter school for St. Louis, Missouri, city students that offers a hands-on college preparatory curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Tarlton upgraded the three-story, 58,000-square-foot historic building, which opened in 1925 as McBride High School. Work included the installation of a new elevator, kitchen and cafeteria, restroom additions, the build-out of science laboratories, plus painting, lighting, and a parking lot addition. Additional work included redesigning the principal's office area and administration offices, along with bringing the school into ADA compliance.

The Tarlton team comprised John Doerr, Project Executive; Joe Scarfino, Project Director; Diane Grimsley, Project Manager; Sarah Wilson Mangapora, Project Engineer; and James Tillman, Project Superintendent. Grice Group Architects was the project architect. HERA Inc. served as laboratory facilities planner.

A major challenge during the renovation was the excavation of an elevator pit in the basement of the building, an area that would not accommodate large construction equipment. Tarlton, which has provided power and energy services to the St. Louis region for nearly 70 years, charged its Power & Energy Group and HydroVac Services Division with this critical task. The team used a high-pressure mobile industrial system to vacuum wet and dry materials from the site, and then erected a clever conveyer system to transport large quantities of masonry and construction debris from the building.

"We are excited to open Hawthorn to our first classes of students in an updated, functional building that reflects the neighborhood's rich history and character," said Mary Danforth Stillman Stillman. "Tarlton's high level of dedication to our project culminated in optimum spaces in which young women can seize opportunities for success in college and beyond, forging pathways to bright futures."

In furthering efforts to prepare their students for higher education and to close the gender gap in STEM careers, the school staff hosts a "Talk Show Tuesdays" series for the entire school, interviewing professionals in STEM fields. A recent guest was Tarlton's Project Superintendent James Tillman, who discussed the different aspects of his career, as well as construction challenges encountered and met on the Hawthorn project.