Day-to-day maintenance operations had become a logistical challenge for the Francis Howell School District and the existing maintanence facility was no longer supporting the needs of the district. Technicians worked in undersized bays with limited storage and the team was split between two facilities, making coordination difficult and efficiency harder to maintain. The district needed a solution that would consolidate operations onto one central site, modernize the workspace, and set the stage for long-term growth, all within budget.
The design team worked closely with the district to identify what mattered most and crafted solutions to build around it. Metal building construction kept costs low without sacrificing functionality, while thoughtful material selections, such as combining metal paneling with select stone accents, delivered a professional, durable exterior. An alternate expansion bay was integrated into the design from the start, allowing for future growth.
The result is a single, consolidated facility designed for the people who use it every day. Three drive-through bus bays accommodate up to six buses at a time, improving circulation and efficiency across the entire site. A dedicated fleet vehicle bay, wash bay, parts storage room and indoor tool and tire storage bring everything under one roof. A new fuel island features a large, prefabricated fuel canopy, protecting drivers from elements while fueling fleet vehicles, as well as a catwalk and platform for safe access to fill ports.
Staff now have a break room, offices and proper locker facilities. Overhead oil distribution pipes oil directly to where it’s needed in each bay, eliminating manual transport across the floor. Fleet parking stalls grew from 7 to 60, and bus stalls increased from 151 to 163.
What was once a disconnected and undersized operation is now a unified, efficient facility that reflects the district’s commitment to its fleet, staff, students and the communities it serves.
