Building Norwich’s Future, One Challenge at a Time
September 18th, 2025
Shaping Safe, Modern Learning Environments through Smart Solutions & Teamwork
When the City of Norwich launched a major effort to rebuild four elementary schools, Loureiro stepped in to manage critical early sitework at Stanton and Greeneville Elementary Schools. From utility installations on a tight summer schedule to blasting and retaining wall construction on a rock-heavy site, the team has tackled each challenge with precision and collaboration. The result is a strong foundation—literally and figuratively—for the next phases of construction and for learning environments that will serve the community for decades to come.
The City of Norwich is undertaking one of the largest school construction programs in Connecticut, replacing or rebuilding four elementary schools to create modern, efficient learning environments. At Stanton and Greeneville Elementary Schools, Loureiro is playing a key role in early site preparation that will make way for new facilities designed to serve the community for decades.
Project Manager Keith Johnson, together with superintendents Andy Corsetti, Mike Tuxbury, and Karl Tanguay, project engineer Kayla Argenta-Palmer, and field engineer Mike Sullivan, is part of the team managing the complex sitework now underway.
Stanton Elementary: Summer Work on a Tight Schedule
At Stanton Elementary, Loureiro’s role has focused on utility work and site preparation during the school’s summer break. Crews had just a few short months to bring in water and sewer connections from surrounding streets and complete site activities before students returned for the fall semester.
When a rock ledge was encountered during trenching, Loureiro identified a more efficient drilling solution, saving both time and cost. With utilities in place, Stanton is ready for the next phase of construction, which includes foundations, steel, and vertical work by others on the project team. LCI will maintain a presence onsite, but will return in force during the summer of 2026 to complete final sitework, including sidewalks, parking, and playfields, once the existing school is demolished.
Greeneville Elementary: Moving Rock, Building Walls
Greeneville Elementary is being constructed on the site of the former school and adjacent property. Here, the defining challenge is the volume of rock. Approximately 136,000 cubic yards must be blasted and removed before foundations can proceed. The process involves detailed geotechnical evaluations, pre-blast surveys within a 1,500-foot radius, and coordination with nearby residents through town hall meetings.
The site also calls for extensive retaining wall systems: seven in total, accounting for roughly 2,600 linear feet. These include precast modular block walls and rock-cut walls, which require careful sequencing with blasting and excavation to maintain safe and efficient progress.
Encountering New Complexities
While every project brings surprises, Stanton and Greeneville have introduced several noteworthy challenges. At Greeneville, blasting and vibration monitoring have added a layer of technical complexity. Both schools require the installation of specialty playground systems, which can only be assembled by certified subcontractors. The retaining wall work is significant, requiring close coordination to align with the pace of rock removal. Together, these elements show the variety of considerations that come with school construction beyond the classroom walls.
Looking Ahead
Loureiro’s work at Stanton and Greeneville is part of a broader effort to modernize Norwich’s schools and provide safe, functional spaces for nearly 600 students at each facility. For Loureiro, the projects demonstrate the team’s ability to deliver on demanding schedules, adapt to site conditions, and support clients and communities in reaching long-term goals.
