Prince George’s County Public Schools opens 6 new schools in first-of-its-kind P3 concession agreement in the US

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2023 – JLL announced today that Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) has delivered the first set of schools under the Blueprint Schools Program, a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership (P3). The first five schools, all middle schools, opened their doors in late August with the sixth school, a kindergarten through eighth-grade academy, opening in November.

Blueprint Schools Phase I Include:

• Colin L. Powell K-8 Academy
• Drew-Freeman Middle School
• Hyattsville Middle School
• Kenmoor Middle School
• Sonia Sotomayor Middle School at Adelphi
• Walker Mill Middle School

Assisting from strategy to closing, JLL served as the technical and financial advisor to PGCPS. Prince George’s County Education and Community Partners (PGCECP) delivered the state-of-the-art education facilities in just two and a half years, creating 3,000 jobs for the community.

“This P3 is special because it is a major step forward in delivering equal opportunities to the students, families and community,” said Bob Hunt, Group Managing Director, Government, Education and Non-Profit Advisory, JLL. “Without this agreement, it would have taken 16 years for these schools to get funded and built. Instead, in under three years’ time, 8,000 students have brand new schools to learn, grow and thrive.”

JLL is also currently engaged with PGCPS Blueprint Schools Phase II, as the lead consultant and financial advisor. Recently, Prince George’s County Education Collective was selected as the final bidder for Phase II. Prince George’s County Education Collective consists of Equity Members, Plenary Americas US Holdings Inc. and Ellis Don Capital Inc.; MBE Equity Member, Phoenix Infrastructure Group Investments LLC; Lead Contractor, MCN Build Inc.; and Lead Service Providers, US Facilities Inc., Ellis Don Facilities Services and RSC Electrical & Mechanical. The PGCPS Blueprint Schools Phase II project utilizes a collaborative P3 to deliver 8 new schools to meet the needs of their 133,000 students and nearly 20,000 employees.

Under a traditional design, bid, build model, PGCPS estimates that six new schools would have cost $868.8 million to design and construct and take 16 years to complete. The six new Blueprint Schools were completed for $485.8 million and include 30 years of facility maintenance by PGCECP (through its lead services provider, Honeywell). The maintenance plan ensures the schools continue to function at a high level over the long term, in turn avoiding the burden of deferred maintenance. PGCPS expects to realize $170 million in savings over 30 years, as compared to a traditional model.

“These new school buildings should be the standard for every school in Prince George’s County. They are a manifestation of our belief in our students’ abilities to change the world,” said Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent Millard House II. “From Science, Technology Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) labs to creative arts spaces, the 21^st-century resources we’re providing will arm our students with the tools needed to compete and succeed.”

In addition to STEAM labs equipped with 3D-printers and robotics, each school includes a video production studio, community clinics and media center. The schools are all solar and electric vehicle (EV) charging-ready, with solar installation anticipated to be complete by fall 2024. Additionally, Hyattsville Middle School is equipped with a black box theater to support its Creative and Performing Arts Program. Colin L. Powell Academy will also feature an elementary library, four pre-kindergarten classrooms, an auxiliary gym and innovation lab.

“This program is about more than six buildings,” said PGCPS Associate Superintendent for Supporting Services Jason Washington. “These new schools ensure that, for generations to come, many tens of thousands of students will have access to the resources they will need to thrive. Over the course of the two-and-a-half-year delivery period, PGCECP also led a community benefits program that included a $1 million endowed fund to support students and educators; $60,000 across three years to 30 Prince George’s Community College students in scholarships through Gilbane; and $10,000 per year starting at operations through Honeywell’s scholarship program.”

The Blueprint Schools Program is committed to supporting minority and locally owned small businesses. As of August 2023, PGCECP exceeded the goal by awarding 33% of contracts ($134 million) to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), including $68 million awarded to Prince George’s County businesses and $65 million awarded to county MBEs.

JLL is the premier provider of strategic real estate advisory and facilities services for education institutions as well as local, state, national and federal governments. Its national team covers the entire real estate lifecycle from strategy, public-private partnerships, facilities management and sustainability services to transaction and project management. JLL brings both the experience and expertise to convert real estate portfolios into working assets that meet operational and occupancy requirements while generating revenues and reducing costs. Visit us.jll.com/education.

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Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS), one of the nation's 20th largest school districts, has 200 schools and centers, more than 133,000 students and nearly 20,000 employees. The school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide students with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion.