Description
Fife School District’s new Columbia Junior High School features a unique method of seismic stabilization and a community park.
The school structure is being built on 1,400 wooden piles driven 40 feet into the ground, spaced 10 feet apart, and capped with an 8-inch reinforced concrete slab.
The reason for the wooden piles lies in the nature of the soft soil in the Fife area. Seismic investigations revealed that during a large earthquake such as the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, the soft soil in the region becomes unstable because it conducts seismic energy.
The pilings will increase stability and enhance structural integrity of the school in the event of a large quake.
Dacca Community Park, constructed in conjunction with the junior high, will serve the entire Fife-Milton-Edgewood community.
The school’s highlights include a performing arts center, two gyms, soccer field, tennis courts, outdoor volleyball court, concession stand, new football field and track, bike and pedestrian path between fields, and a community park.
The new school will be completed in July to ensure that the classroom facilities will be ready for the beginning of the school year in September 2003.
Contractor:
Babbit Neuman Construction Co., 218 Wilkes St.,
Steilacoom, WA 98388,
(253) 584-7335
Architects:
Erickson McGovern (lead),
120 131st St. S, Tacoma, WA 98444, (253) 531-0206
Bruce Dees & Associates
Consultants:
George Bundy & Associates (food service)
Gordon Adams (hardware)
Hultz/BHU
(mechanical/electrical)
Knudson/Benson Associates (theater)
Putnam Collins Scott
Associates (structural)
The Greenbusch Group (acoustical)
Warner Engineering (civil)
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Other Participants
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ACE Survey
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Addison Construction
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Al’s Welding
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Anderson Specialities
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Architectural Building Specialties
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Benson Tacoma
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Beresford
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BNCC
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CAB Fab
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Casco
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Crowe Building Specialties
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Dan Hunt and Associates
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Ethan Enterprises
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Evergreen Plumbing and Heating
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Fardig
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Fire Chief
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Foray Construction
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Foster-Bray Co.
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Fullner Food Service
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Groff Electric
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Henriksen Services
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InteriorTek
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JNR Services
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Laboratory Design
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Lacey Glass
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Lair-Swanson
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Larson’s Glass
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Library Systems
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Master Associated Masons
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McDowell Northwest
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Mehrer Drywall
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Modern Tile
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MSI
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Nor-Pac System
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Northwest Associates
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Northwest Handling
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Pacific Erectors
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Patriot Fire Protection
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PBS Supply
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Powers West
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Precision Ladder
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Renaissance Painting
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RTB Co.
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Saxton Bradley
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SeaWest Construction
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Sessler Inc.
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Shanahan’s Building Specialties
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Sound Retaining Walls
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Specialized Landscaping
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Stagecraft Industries
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Sunset Air
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Thermac
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Truss Joist
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Tucci and Sons
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Wenger Corp.
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Western Hardwood
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Westmark Products
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