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Construction of the new Washington High School campus is edging closer toward the three-quarter completion mark, with flooring, drywall, ceiling, and window installation all underway.
The $56.5 million project is a part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, which calls for the renovation or rebuilding of 40 schools, including 29 high schools.
Site utility installation for the new school is currently in progress, project officials said. Exterior brick installation is nearly complete, as are the visitor and faculty parking areas. The school’s front bus loop also is more than halfway done.
Washington Principal Carlos Phillips II said he is pleased with how quickly the project has progressed and thankful for the support he has received from the community, as well as his students and staff.
“You can really see the love that the community has for the school,” Phillips said. “They’ve been waiting a long time for this type of facility for our students.”
Design plans call for the new building to showcase the school’s engineering magnet program through the use of 21st century technology, specialized engineering and science labs, and flexible learning spaces that support project-based learning and encourage collaboration.
The building also will feature an auditorium that expands into the cafeteria via a retractable wall with retractable seating to accommodate larger audiences. Other features include a three-court gymnasium, daycare center, and exterior courtyards where science labs can conduct additional experiments.
Furniture and equipment delivery is slated for first quarter of 2018, with doors formally opening to students for the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Demolition of the old building is set to begin next summer, making way for a baseball and softball field and additional parking.
Bond construction is underway at more than two dozen campuses in HISD. Almost 50 percent of bond projects are now complete and open to students. Once all work is done, HISD will boast of one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the country.
Follow @Build_HISD on Twitter for the latest updates on the 2012 Bond Program and school construction across the district.