July 9, 2021

Edmonds School District starts 2nd phase of Spruce Elementary

Rendering by Bassetti Architects [enlarge]

An entry with expansive glass will connect the first phase, on the right, with the second phase.

Edmonds School District and its general contractor, BNBuilders, recently broke ground on the $28.4 million second phase of the replacement for Spruce Elementary School, at 17405 Spruce Way in Lynnwood.

Phase two adds a north wing of about 49,000 square feet containing 28 classrooms, a library with outdoor project area, integrated learning centers and small group rooms for collaborative learning. It will be two stories with a CMU base and vertical metal panels in three or four colors, according to the project's environmental checklist. Bassetti Architects is the designer.

Site improvements will create additional parking and isolate bus traffic from parent pick-up locations. The checklist indicates 8,750 cubic yards of cut and 11,900 cubic yards of fill for the second phase. There also will be rain gardens and bioretention cells.

Students remained in the existing 1966 building during the first phase, but will be relocated to the former Alderwood Middle School while the second phase is underway. The old 41,600-square-foot school will be demolished and replaced by a parking lot at the end of phase two. Overall parking will increase from 58 existing stalls to 96 stalls.

A news release from BNB says the project was split into two phases to maximize available bond proceeds and minimize cost escalation. The second phase is expected to be finished in July 2022.

The first phase, also built by BNB and designed by Bassetti, was completed in June 2019. It involved demolition of existing play fields and construction of a south wing of nearly 29,000 square feet containing a gymnasium, commons, kitchen, music rooms and administrative offices. Plans show a common entry connecting the first and second phase buildings, along with space on the second level overlooking the entry court through expansive glass panels. The buildings will be mostly separated by the entry court out front and a classroom courtyard in back.

The phase two team includes: Coughlin Porter Lundeen, structural engineer; AHBL, civil engineer; Metrix Engineers, mechanical; Hargis Engineers, electrical; and Site Workshop, landscape architect. Major subcontractors are: Ramsett Mechanical, mechanical/plumbing; Ewing Electric; Northwest Partitions, framing and gypsum wallboard; Interwest Construction, earthwork; Dickson Co., demolition; Northshore Exteriors, siding; and Pacific Window Systems, glazing.