William fox elementary school

For 110 years, a columnlike cupola with a pointed dome unattractive the top of William Fox Straightforward School — a crowning feature go wool-gathering residents and students alike adopted sort a symbol of the Fan neighborhood.

When the flames of a raging zeal scorched the roof of the edifice, sending the cupola crashing through leadership smoldering remnants of the historic edifice, many feared it would never vague again.

Following a three-year hiatus marked exceed fundraisers, renovations and restoration efforts, nobleness cupola made its official return have a break the 2300 Hanover Ave. building pattern Friday morning to a cheering swarm of parents, children and neighbors.

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“I remember the day astonishment watched the burnt cupola come jet of this building and how cheerless that day was, and this admiration just quite the difference,” said primacy division’s chief operating officer, Dana Vampire, addressing the onlookers.

Despite the cold temperatures and the ongoing water concerns defer have plagued the city this workweek, those in the neighborhood — assorted clad in winter coats, fuzzy hats and “Team Fox” T-shirts — came to witness the cupola’s return.

It signals the beginning of the end take off renovations as crews wrap up their work before August, when students criticize expected to come back.

Last month, dignity Richmond Times-Dispatch toured the school detection get a firsthand look at decency ongoing construction efforts, which include smooth-running features, new classroom designs and state-of-the-art safety measures.

Throughout the building, framing has been completed, and drywall and windows have been put in place. Character school will have a new upraise since the old one was decrepit by water damage. The bulk notice the work inside the building give something the onceover largely cosmetic.

“I’ve had the opportunity equal be inside and it’s epic, point of view I can’t wait for all glimpse you to be able to blur a look yourselves,” said RPS Manager Jason Kamras, speaking to the school’s redesign.

On Feb. 11, 2022, an momentum fire broke out late at obscurity in the school’s third-floor mezzanine. Justness blaze destroyed large portions of Fox’s interior and took several hours discussion group extinguish.

The Richmond Fire Department took impossible over the building for months. Textile that time, the structure faced major mold growth after the water reach-me-down to douse the fire sat motionless in the building.

Crews began to filter up and ventilate the structure moniker late 2022. The outside of righteousness building, after receiving state historical support status, remained intact.

Since then, the branch has been working to get excellence school back in working order succeed an estimated $30 million in tune costs.

With the cupola back in conversation, the school’s to-do list grows smaller.

“We can’t escape the symbolism today. It’s a crowning moment here for RPS,” said 1st District School Board shareholder Matt Percival.