The Ohio School Facilities Commission last week broke ground on the restoration of the two schools, whose adjacent campuses are in north Clintonville.

"It was exceptional, quite frankly É it was a very exciting day for (the students) and a very moving day for them," said Rick Savors, spokesman for the commission.

The $36-million project will include 171,000 square feet of new academic and residential space on both campuses, plus some renovation to existing buildings.

A bridge also will be constructed through the Bill Moose Ravine to connect the schools.

Construction will take about two years. It will include several environmentally responsive efforts, such as using more natural illumination to light buildings and more energy-efficient materials in the construction.

Each school has about 150 students, who will not be relocated off-site during the work.

The commission has no plans to use additional green space on the 130-acre site for a public park or sports fields at this time, said Rob Grinch, senior project administrator with the commission.

Cynthia Johnson, interim superintendent for the School for the Blind, said that from better accessibility to state-of-the-art technology, the renovations will lead to significant improvements.

"We're certainly excited," she said. "It has been 50 years or more since our present buildings have been built. We've had several renovations during those 50 years, but this will give us an opportunity with the new buildings to have more high-efficient heating and cooling. And it will give us a chance to optimize the use of the latest assistive technology."

The final plans for the schools came out of a two-year process that included community meetings and open houses to garner public feedback on the project.

Input also was gathered from the schools' students, teachers, support staff and administration, as well as from national experts on designing buildings for those with disabilities.

The contractors are expected to complete construction in early 2011.

gseman@thisweeknews.com