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August 1, 2019

WA public schools: Top 10 project awards for 2019

Washington Public Schools:
Top 10 Project Awards for 2019

In education, it’s not just fancy State U research labs that command those eye-popping, nine-figure capital budgets — we see them for primary and secondary school projects, too.

Seattle voters approved in February a six-year, $1.4 billion capital levy that will fund big-ticket projects such as replacements for Rainier Beach High School and Mercer International Middle School. And Seattle is not alone: Districts from Vancouver to Spokane this year have awarded contracts that, even if they’re not in nine-figure territory, still offer school builders ample opportunities for high-dollar risk and reward.

The following is a list of the biggest public K-12 construction awards in Washington state in 2019, according to DJC bidding records. Contracts vary from project to project, depending on factors such as delivery methods. So where award amounts weren’t available, we listed budgets or estimates instead.

1. Mountain View High School replacement

The 250,000-square-foot project will replace an outdated complex that opened in 1979 and serves more than 2,000 students.

The new high school will have a more compact footprint, including two- or three-story classroom wings, a gymnasium, kitchen and cafeteria, media center, front offices, support space, collaboration areas and specialty instructional spaces. An existing theater, commons and one of the gymnasiums may be remodeled.

The site will be redeveloped to include distinct travel and parking zones, and longer on-site cuing areas to reduce congestion in the neighborhood. Athletic fields will be replaced.

Estimate: $150 million; no award amount available

GC/CM: Skanska USA Building

Architect: LSW Architects

School district: Evergreen Public Schools, Vancouver

2. Yelm Middle School and Southworth Elementary School replacements

BCRA
The new Yelm Middle School will have 100,000 square feet for grades six through eight, and serve 725 students on an 18-acre site.

The project will replace the existing 1966 middle school, which will be retrofitted to serve as an interim site for the new Southworth Elementary School.

The elementary will be built on the site of the existing school, which opened in 1972. The replacement will have 65,000 square feet and serve 550 students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Both new schools will replace aging, undersized facilities that have reached the end of their usefulness.

Budget: $112 million; $68.4 million for Yelm Middle School and $43.7 million for Southworth Elementary; no award amount available

GC/CM: Forma Construction

Architect: BCRA

School district: Yelm Community Schools

3. Kennewick High School

Image by MMEC Architecture

The new two-story, 292,000-square-foot school will replace the existing Kennewick High, which opened in 1951. It will include a science wing, a dining commons, a courtyard and other features, and will connect to the existing Lion’s Den gym and a remodeled auditorium.

Award: $86.9 million

General contractor: Fowler General Construction Inc.

Architect: MMEC Architecture

School district: Kennewick School District

4. Shaw Middle School and On Track Academy

On Track Academy. Image by Integrus Architecture
Work includes a new multi-use campus with a 140,000-square-foot middle school and a new 45,000-square-foot building for the On Track Academy, an alternative high school.

Estimate: $62 million; no award amount available

GC/CM: Lydig Construction

Architect: Integrus Architecture

School district: Spokane Public Schools

5. Prosser High School

Image by Architects West

A five-level, 163,400-square-foot building will be constructed on a complicated, sloping site. The school will have a welcoming main entry and three floors of classrooms organized in a linear arrangement to make the most of daylight and views. Other spaces include a media center, 300-seat auditorium and a central kitchen. The school will serve up to 1,200 students in grades nine-12.

Award: $52.2 million

General contractor: Chervenell Construction Co.

Architect: Architects West

School district: Prosser School District

6. Walla Walla High School renovations and improvements

Image by Architects West
The two-phase project will begin with construction of an 18,000-square-foot science building with eight classrooms. Second-phase work will involve renovating eight buildings, replacing aging site utility infrastructure, and completing other site improvements.

Estimate: $48 million (maximum allowable construction cost)

General contractor: Jackson Contractor Group

Architect: Architects West

School district: Walla Walla Public Schools

7. Wing Luke Elementary School Phase II

Image by NAC Architecture
A new 93,000-square-foot building replace the original school, which opened in 1971 and has several major systems and structural challenges. Classrooms will be organized around flexible learning commons.

Award:$31.5 million

General contractor: Jody Miller Construction

Architect: NAC Architecture

School district: Seattle Public Schools

8. Mount Stuart Elementary and new elementary

Image by Integrus Architecture
Work includes a 55,000-square-foot replacement building for Mount Stuart Elementary and an all-new 57,000-square-foot elementary to be constructed on a 29-acre parcel.

Budget: $31 million; no award amount available

GC/CM: Garco Construction

Architect: Integrus Architecture

School district: Ellensburg School District

9. Ray Reynolds Middle School

Image by MMEC Architecture

A new 115,000-square-foot middle school to serve 1,100 students.

Award: $31.04 million

General contractor: Fowler General Construction

Architect: MMEC Architecture

School district: Pasco School District

10. Olympic High School modernization Phase 2

The project will modernize two "units," or school wings, including classrooms and restrooms. Windowless interior classrooms will be converted to flex spaces, and locker rooms will be reconfigured. New spaces include a staff room and team classroom. Exteriors will be updated.

Total budget: $29.48 million; no award amount available

GC/CM: Forma Construction Co.

Architect: Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young Architects

School district: Central Kitsap School District, Silverdale

 

 


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