WATCH the Transformation

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Jamestown Public Schools administrators, food service staff, and representatives from Young & Wright Architectural and Turner Construction officially cut the ribbon on the renovated Jamestown High School cafeteria on May 12 in a ceremony immediately following the school day. 

The cafeteria is the heart of capital improvements at Jamestown High School approved by JPS voters in 2021, having undergone a total metamorphosis since crews closed the space in the middle of the 2024-25 school year. The $89.5 million dollar districtwide project has also included renovations to the high school’s second floor classrooms and infrastructure upgrades at M.J. Fletcher Elementary School, among others.

The cafeteria renovation included raising the ceilings and adding skylight into an area that was previously dimly lit. Additionally, crews added brand new bathrooms into the space as well as a staircase that connects the cafeteria to the school’s front hallway. Kitchen renovations will also take place throughout the rest of the spring. 

“This cafeteria has been the topic of discussion with every alumni group that I have spoken to — that old, brown, shallow, loud cafeteria,” Dr. Kevin Whitaker, JPS Superintendent, told those gathered for the ceremony. “And, boy, are they gonna be surprised when they see this. Every person I've taken through here has been absolutely stunned at the beauty and the utility of what kids at JHS are going to have. And our purpose here is to provide our kids with something that is meaningful and clean and new and available to them to make a great environment for them to continue learning.” 

Richard Krouse, project manager, offered remarks on behalf of Young & Wright Architectural.

“It has been a long time in the process for this cafeteria,” said Krouse. “This project began with the question of how to get the ceiling higher in the space and developed into taking the roof off and raising the structure. We encountered some interesting soils underneath and made sure every detail was taken care of: from custom designing the furniture to match the Jamestown Red & Green branding to all of the things that the food service department here really needs to make this space as operational and welcoming as possible.” 

Wayne Scott, project manager from Turner Construction, credited the strength of the team — from district leaders to building leaders to custodial staff to construction staff. 

“I‘ve worked on a lot of projects where you don't get such a great team to work with, and we have a wonderful district, we have a great architect, as you can see, it's great to see, you know, this space come to life, and what was created in the minds of the architect. 
We really enjoyed being able to help produce this, and from a construction standpoint, and it's wonderful to create something from nothing. This was a space that needed to be redone, created into a beautiful space. So I think we've got a beautiful space and a great team.” 
Allyson Smith, JHS Principal, expressed gratitude to those who helped bring the project to fruition. 

“Thank you to everyone that's been involved in this project,” said Allyson Smith, JHS Principal. “I'm really excited to have our students in here for the first time tomorrow, excited to see their faces, excited to see them operating in the space, as well as to have our cafeteria staff work in the space. Thank you for creating this opportunity for our students. We are very excited.” 

Jamestown High School students resumed eating in the cafeteria on May 13. During construction, the “Old Gym” was converted to a temporary cafeteria space. 

With the cafeteria completed, crews will now move toward completing renovations to the Merton P. Corwin Auditorium at the high school and will begin substantial renovations to the “Old Gym” across the hall from the cafeteria, both of which are expected to be completed by the end of the 2026 calendar year.