On May 20, 2024, Landmark Science & Engineering staff joined Appoquinimink School District school board members and district staff, local elected officials, and other design and construction partners who gathered to participate in a beam signing and team topping out ceremony. ASD Superintendent Matt Burrows hosted the event commemorating the construction milestone at the historic Louis L. Redding Middle School.
Signing of the Beam
Ted Williams, Dakota Laidman-Murray and Mike Briscoe participated in this construction tradition that provided an opportunity for those who played a role in the planning, design and construction of the new building to add their names to the final piece of structural steel before it was raised into place. The contractors then raised the final piece of structural steel into place at the top of the building. The new school is being built at the same location as the original, historic school and will open in the Fall of 2025.
History of the Louis L. Redding School
Louis Redding was the first African American to be admitted to the Delaware State Bar Association and was part of the NAACP legal team that challenged school segregation in the Brown v. Board of Education case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Louis L. Redding Middle School was originally built in 1952 with the name Louis L. Redding School and served African American students in grades 1st through 12th in the Middletown area. In 1968, the school’s name was changed to Louis L. Redding Intermediate School, for grades 5th through 8th, and served students of all races. Today, Louis L. Redding Middle serves students in 6th through 8th grades.
Landmark’s Role
Landmark worked in cooperation with ASD’s project architect, ABHA/BSA+A, JV, and construction partners led by Whiting-Turner Contracting to provide the civil engineering, planning and design required for construction of the new 134,678 square foot school. The new building is being built on the site of the existing school’s sports field/green space. Demolition of the existing school and other site improvements will occur after students move into the new building. To learn more about Landmark’s role this project, click here.
