Greenbriar School Construction Begins Under Build 28 Plan: District

NORTHBROOK, IL — Students, staff and district leaders gathered May 15 at Greenbriar School to mark the start of construction tied to Northbrook School District 28’s Build 28 initiative.

In April 2025, Northbrook voters approved a nearly $95 million referendum intended to make building improvements at four District 28 schools. Known as Build 28, the 10-year facilities master plan will also utilize an additional $20 million from the district's operating funds.

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The projects included in the referendum were developed with community input as part of the district's Building Tomorrow Together community engagement program.

At Greenbriar School (built in 1949), the cost of the project is $20.3 million. Major projects include:

• Building a new classroom wing addition behind the gymnasium to replace the 75-year-old classroom wing along Greenbriar Lane
• Build a cafetorium (cafeteria/auditorium)
• Renovate existing multipurpose room/cafeteria and adjacent classrooms
• Update fire alarm, sprinkler, and P.A. systems
• Update playgrounds and improve accessibility

RELATED: School Referendums In Northbrook D27, 28 Pass

The district is working with DLA Architects out of Itasca to complete the projects. Each construction area will be enclosed and separated from students, staff, and daily school activities during the construction projects.

Representatives from DLA Architects and Reed Construction also joined the Greenbriar School community for the recent groundbreaking. Students and staff wore hard hats and posed with ceremonial shovels outside the building to commemorate the beginning of work that district officials said will create updated learning spaces for current and future Greenbriar students.

The project is scheduled to be completed in two phases. Phase I, expected to run from summer 2026 to spring 2027, includes construction of a new classroom wing behind the gymnasium. The addition will replace the 76-year-old classroom wing along Greenbriar Lane.

Phase II, expected to run from spring 2027 to winter 2028, includes construction of a new cafetorium addition and renovations to the existing multipurpose room.

District officials said additional construction updates will be shared with families and the community as work progresses.

RELATED: New Meadowbrook Gym Open House Showcases $94.9M Build 28 Initiative

Last month, an open house was held at the future site of the new Meadowbrook School building at 1600 Walters Ave. Work on a the school's gymnasium was recently completed.

According to the district, here's the latest breakdown of what's happening at the other schools:

• Northbrook Junior High School (built in 1959)
  Total cost: $20.6 million
  Major projects include:
  - build a cafetorium (cafeteria/auditorium)
  - renovate the current cafeteria to create additional classroom space
  - renovate the school's main entry and office areas to improve accessibility and security
  - add accessible student and staff bathrooms
  - replace HVAC units
  Projected timeline: construction begins between November 2026 and March 2027; work completed August 2028
• Meadowbrook School (current building was built in 1955)
  Total cost: $56 million
  Major projects include:
  - construction of a new school which will create additional classroom and flexible learning space; a cafetorium (cafeteria/auditorium)
  - expanded play areas for students
  - additional parking for staff and visitors
  - improved traffic circulation
  - abundance of natural light and geothermal system.
  Projected timeline: gymnasium construction began August 2025; gymnasium completed and construction of the new Meadowbrook School begins March 2026; new school completed August 2027
• Westmoor School (built in 1966)
  Total cost: $13.7 million
  Major projects include:
  - Build a cafetorium (cafeteria/auditorium)
  - Add hard surface play area outside
  - Renovate existing bathrooms throughout the building for ADA compliance
  - Remodel existing multipurpose room to classrooms and new ADA-compliant bathroom
  - Replace old playground equipment and improve accessibility
  Projected timeline: construction begins between April 2026 and June 2026; construction completed between February 2027 and April 2027