Sterling HS stakeholders hear about construction plans for new school

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Members of the Sterling High School community gathered Tuesday evening to review final design plans and hear about the construction timeline for the school’s new 21st century campus being built as part of HISD’s 2012 bond program.

Sterling Principal Dale Mitchell said he is proud of the new design for the campus – which will emphasize the school’s aviation program – and is eager for the work to begin.

“I think the Sterling design is the best one I’ve seen so far,” Mitchell said. “The designers did a phenomenal job of taking our ideas and incorporating function, safety and flexibility. I’m very happy with the plans and excited to get started.”

In this third bond community meeting before construction begins, attendees heard from the project’s architect and construction manager, who discussed the timeline and addressed safety concerns.

“We just put the perimeter fencing up today, so site mobilization has begun. You’re going to start seeing the activity ramp up pretty quick,” said Bob Bedrich, construction executive at Cadence McShane, the general contractor for the project.

The construction area will be fenced off from the school to provide both a physical and visual barrier to the activities. Workers will not have any interaction with students or school staff, and all workers will be safety trained, undergo a background check, and will be badged.

Construction on the new school will begin before the end of the year, and is expected to take about 20 months. Once the new building is completed, the existing building will be demolished and parking areas and sports fields will be constructed.

“We need this new building, and the community is excited about it,” said the Rev. A.L. Hickman, a member of the school’s Project Advisory Team. “We’re looking forward to the heavy equipment moving in – then everyone will know it’s really happening.”