News : Barn, 13th Street projects see progress

The VSHS FFA sign is visible for now from inside what will soon be 'The Barn' at VSHS.

Construction workers have framed 'The Barn' near the VSHS FFA classroom.

Paving of 13th Street began on Thursday.

Two unrelated projects that Vinton-Shellsburg families hope to see finished by the time school starts have seen progress in recent days.

The "Barn" -- the Vinton-Shellsburg Ag Learning Lab -- is taking shape at the VSHS campus, just outside the FFA classroom and greenhouse. The new facility will have classroom space as well as a livestock area which will allow class time, hands-on experience with cattle and other farm animals.

A few blocks to the north, crews have begun paving 13th Street from C Avenue to Second Avenue. The Vinton City Council recently discussed delays in the project caused by a temporary availability of materials.

FFA advisor Louise Fleming said that Principal Matt Kingsbury has told her that construction managers reported that they are on schedule and are hoping to have the steel on the roof and possibly sides by tomorrow afternoon.