Photo courtesyRichland School District Old buildings were demolished to make way for a new gym and classroom building at Richland High School.

Project description: Richland High School, originally named Columbia High School, was built in the 1940s and saw a number of additions over its first 50 years. New buildings with different architectural styles were added in 1954 and 1963, which made the school campus appear jumbled and lacking in a sense of uniformity. Outside of aesthetics, other problems became apparent to teachers, students and staff over the years. Many of the school’s electrical systems, including the air-conditioning system, were outdated and prone to breakdowns; and older buildings were not capable of supporting technology-based educational programs, forcing the school to create complex and impracticable patches. The school also needed upgrades to its fire safety systems, more hallway and cafeterias space, and better accessibility for its handicapped students. Renovation work includes demolishing three 1948-vintage buildings and erecting a new gymnasium and classroom building in their place. Over 210,000 square feet will be modernized in other campus buildings, and hazardous materials will be abated. The school will remain occupied during construction. Address: 930 Long Ave., Richland Cost: $30.88 million (award amount) Type of Contract: Hard bid Start of construction: February 2005 Expected completion date: July 2008 Contractor: JN Jacobson & Son, 3012 S. Olympia St., Kennewick, WA 99337, (509) 582-7721 Architect: CKJT Architects, 128 Vista Way, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509) 783-5444 Owner: Richland School District No. 400 Project participants: Abatement Solutions Co. — Acoustical Ceilings — Aden Masonry — Advanced Fireproofing and Insulation Co. — All City Painting — Apollo Sheet Metal — BRC Acoustics — Cascade Fire Protection — Chas H. Beresford Co. — Dan Leslie Roofing — Drywall Interiors — DuPree Building Specialties — DWR Consultants — Intermountain West Insulation — Kilgore Architectural Products — Ky Ry Construction & Fabrication — L&S Engineering — Lemons Millwork — Mattison Martinoli — Metalfab — Narum Concrete Construction — Nor-Pac Seating — North American Terrazzo — Northwest School Equipment — Norwest Shop Equipment — OEI Electrical Consultants — PBS Environmental — Perfection Glass — Power City Electric — Russell Crane Co. — Saxton, Bradley — Smith and Greene Co. — SMK Construction Co. — Structural Design Northwest — Taylor Landscape Architects — ThyssenKrupp Elevator — Trojan Wall Products — Woodstone Construction Copyright ©2006 Seattle Daily Journal and DJC.COM. Comments? Questions? Contact us.