Renovation & Construction News
June | 2016
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.

Construction photos and related information can be found at the Building for Achievement website.
TACOMA SCHOOLS & PARTNERS SHOW SUPPORT FOR LOCAL, MINORITY, WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

Tacoma Public Schools signed a new Community Inclusion Plan  - the first of its kind in the state - to support local businesses, inclusivity and career paths for young adults. The plan directs contractors working on major construction projects or maintenance repair projects in Tacoma to partner with the district by contributing to goals for using local subcontractors; expanding opportunities for women, minority and small businesses; and creating career path opportunities for young adults by using apprentices on all projects. Other strong supporters include the City of Tacoma, Pierce County Building & Construction Trades Council, The Black Collective, A. Philip Randolph Institute, NAACP 253, and the Tacoma Ministerial Alliance. 

UPDATES
& ALERTS
Moving day
Summer means space transitions for those schools currently in the construction loop. As McCarver Elementary
teachers start packing to move back to their newly modernized building, Arlington Elementary teachers are preparing to set up for the year at the district's McKinley site. Wainwright Intermediate and Whittier Elementary teachers are also preparing for some transition time together at Whittier next fall as construction at Wainwright finishes.
Stadium stairs back
on solid ground
Repaired Stadium Bowl Stairs
Max Corporation of Gig Harbor completed work on the Stadium Bowl stairs May 28. The stairs and FieldTurf were damaged in a storm last October. The district is looking into whether additional repairs are needed for the track and field. The bowl is expected to reopen in time for fall sports.

Turf replacements
in progress
Lincoln and Mount Tahoma high schools are both getting routine FieldTurf replacements this summer. Work at Lincoln began June 8 and work at Mount Tahoma began June 13. Replacements are expected to be completed by mid-August for football.
Browns Point Elementary
Skanska of Seattle was identified on May 31 is the highest qualifying candidate for replacing Browns Point Elementary through the General Contractor/Construction Manager process. The district is negotiating the contract and will go to the School Board June 23 for approval.

Science & Math Institute
Forma Construction of Tumwater was selected June 3 as the apparent low bidder for the new Science & Math Institute building at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The district is now negotiating the contract and will go to the School Board June 23 for approval.

Birney & Grant
The deadline for architects to submit statements of qualifications was June 3. Submissions will be reviewed by a team representing both schools, district staff and Board President Karen Vialle. The group will identify a short list to interview by June 22. Interviews will be June 29. The candidate or candidates selected by the joint Birney and Grant committee will go to the School Board in July for approval.

9th & Broadway
FS and GS Services Inc. of Puyallup has begun hazardous materials mitigation at the district's 9th & Broadway site. Work will also include seismic improvements, finishing the ground floor for retail spaces, and electrical, mechanical, structural and plumbing upgrades.
This location will welcome School of the Arts students in September 2017. Impacted offices include:
- The Tacoma Public Schools Community Partnership Office will move to the McCarver Primary Center in July for the duration of construction.
- The Foundation for Tacoma Students will remain in the building during the initial stages of construction.
- The Next Move Internship Program will keep its offices at 9th & Broadway.