Martel Construction has been selected as the general contractor and construction manger to build a new elementary school in Whitefish.

The $26.5 million project entails building the new school and demolishing portions of Muldown Elementary.

A contract will be negotiated in the coming weeks. Martel Construction has offices in Bigfork, Bozeman and Missoula. The firm is also currently working on the school district’s Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship.

Whitefish School District received qualifications and proposals from six firms. Dick Anderson Construction and Langlas & Associates were also interviewed for the position.

The school district is currently in the design phase of construction. As the design of the building continues to evolve, the public is invited to attend a community forum to learn more and provide input at 7 p.m. today at Muldown.

A traffic study is also underway and is anticipated to be completed in mid-May. Vehicle congestion is an issue at the school and remained one of the concerns of parents and community members who saw preliminary building designs that included proposed parking lots, bus zones and drop-off and pick-up areas.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.