TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS EMBARKS ON BUSIEST CONSTRUCTION SEASON EVER
Expect to see plenty of dirt being moved this summer as Tacoma Public Schools embarks on its busiest construction season to date with seven major construction projects in motion and four more in planning or design phases.
This construction boom is thanks to a $500 million capital bond voters passed in 2013 to fund 14 major school modernizations or replacements, as well as nearly 200 small capital projects throughout the district between now and 2021. The first of these projects - the historic modernization of
Washington Elementary (3701 N. 26th St.) - was completed in 2014.
Breaking ground this summer
Arlington Elementary (3002 S. 72nd St.) will break ground in July with an anticipated open date of September 2017. Arlington is the first school to be designed under the district's new
Vision for the Elementary Learning Environment guidelines for building planning and design. The new building will feature classroom courtyards, a set up for a solar array, and a play area that incorporates students' favorite grassy hill into its upgrades. Work this summer will also include improvements for Cedar Street between South 74th and 72nd streets, such as utility work and paving. Students will attend classes at the district's McKinley site (3702 E. McKinley Ave.) during the 2016-17 school year.
Design, Mahlum Architects; Contractor, Neeley Construction
The new
Science & Math Institute (Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium) building breaks ground in July with SAMI students expected to move in for fall 2017. This new building - referred to as the Environmental Learning Center - is a partnership with Metro Parks and the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The building will feature eight classrooms, including two science labs, plus administrative space, an early learning center, spaces for zoo staff and volunteers, and several community spaces.
Design, McGranahan Architects; Contractor, Forma Construction (pending board approval)
Under construction
McCarver Elementary (2111 S. J St) reopens this September, with all K-5 students back in the historic modernized space ready for the 21st century and beyond. The renovation includes seismic upgrades, adding an elevator, acoustic and technology upgrades, and the addition of a community resource center with a separate entrance. The school is also getting new playground equipment and a synthetic sports field. McCarver students have been attending classes at the district's McKinley site during construction.
Design, DLR Group; Contractor, Skanska
The new academic building at
Wilson High School (1202 N. Orchard St.) will open in September. Gym and pool area upgrades will be completed this fall. Construction also begins this summer on a new track and field, which will be ready for use in November. As phased work at Wilson continues, the music building will break ground this fall and should be ready by April.
Design, NAC Architecture; Contractor, Absher Construction
Wainwright Intermediate School (130 Alameda Ave.) will begin the 2016-17 school year at Whittier Elementary (777 Elm Tree Lane) before transitioning to the new Wainwright building no later than Jan. 3. Wainwright will initially include fourth, fifth and sixth graders and expand to include seventh and eighth graders as these students advance. Whittier will become a PreK-3 elementary. Whittier's lower level play area is receiving upgrades to accommodate the temporary increase in students. The new Wainwright will feature a DaVinci learning space that allows teachers to lead students in sometimes messy lessons of exploration and innovation that require space and resources not available in a standard classroom.
Design, DLR Group; Contractor, Neeley Construction
Stewart Middle School (5010 Pacific Ave.) is expected to reach substantial completion in December, ahead of its initial August 2017 estimate. The historic modernization at Stewart includes preservation of historic features, demolition of a 1970s addition to make room for a new gymnasium and student courtyard, window replacements, seismic upgrades, conversion of the large central auditorium into a multi-use space, and the construction of two DaVinci spaces to allow teachers to incorporate sometimes messy innovative lessons. Stewart students are currently attending class at the district's Hunt site (6501 S. 10th St.).
Design, Bassetti Architects; Contractor, Skanska
Improvements at
9th & Broadway in downtown Tacoma are on track to welcome School of the Arts students in September 2017. This project is funded by general fund dollars - not the voter-approved construction bond. It will replace classrooms currently leased at The Old Post Office on A Street. Lower level spaces will also include retail and office tenants.
Upcoming construction
Browns Point Elementary (1526 51st St. N.E.) is in design phase and will break ground next summer. Browns Point students will remain onsite during construction since the new school is being built on a different area on the school's campus. The new building is expected to open in September 2018.
Design, TCF Architecture; Contractor, Skanska - pending board approval
Mary Lyon Elementary (101 E. 46th St.) is in design phase and will break ground next summer. Mary Lyon is one of the smaller sites in the district, so will need to be demolished before the new school is built. Students will attend classes at the district's McKinley site during construction. The new building is expected to open in September 2018.
Design,
DOWA; Contractor, TBD
Future projects
Grant Elementary (1018 N. Prospect) and
Birney Elementary (1202 S. 76th St.) replacement projects are currently going through the design selection process and should have architects on board by the end of the summer. These projects are scheduled to break ground in summer 2018 and open in September 2019.
Boze Elementary (1140 E. 65th St.) and
Downing Elementary (2502 N. Orchard St.) replacement projects are expected to break ground in 2019 to open in 2020. The final project,
Hunt Middle School (6501 S. 10th St.), will break ground in 2020 for a 2021 opening.
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