Category Archives: Building Updates

Kinder HSPVA opens new building in downtown Houston

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Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts opened in downtown Houston on Monday, welcoming students for the first day of classes in the school’s new $88 million facility.

Part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, the school relocated over winter break from Montrose to the new five-story building constructed near the city’s renowned arts and theater district.

“Welcome to 790 Austin Street!” HSPVA Principal Scott Allen exclaimed, as hundreds of excited students cheered in response. “HISD built this building just for you.” Continue reading

Sam Houston MSTC students return from holiday break to new building

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It was a seamless transition to the new Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center Monday as students entered the building for the first time.

“When I walked in for the first time, my jaw dropped. It literally looks like a college,” senior Yuri Caballero said. “There is so much light and space in here.”

Sam Houston MSTC is one of 29 high schools being renovated or rebuilt as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.
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New year, new school for Madison HS students

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Students at Madison High School chattered excitedly about their modern surroundings Monday as they made their way to class on the first day of the spring semester.

Madison Principal Paolo Castagnoli said fun activities were planned to welcome back the students, including a virtual tour of the school and several food trucks for lunch.

“Everything’s great,” Castagnoli said. “We love our new facility.” Continue reading

Worthing HS construction wraps up, set to open final phase in January

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Construction on the final building phase of Worthing High School is nearing 100 percent completion, with students and staff eager to move into the new facility next month.

As crews complete final punch-list items, new furniture will be delivered in the coming weeks, preparing the building for students when they return from winter break on Jan. 7.

“It’s really beautiful,” Principal Khalilah Campbell-Rhone said on a recent walkthrough of the new building. “I’m very excited. We just received a permit from the city to start moving in.” Continue reading

Barbara Jordan Career Center to open new building next month

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With construction nearly 90 percent complete, the new Barbara Jordan Career Center will officially open its doors to students when they return from winter break on Jan. 7.

Crews are in the final stretch of carpet and floor tile installation. Plumbing and electrical teams are about 75 percent done with their work, and phone and gas lines have been connected to the building.
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Austin HS celebrates groundbreaking ceremony for new campus

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Austin High School students, staff, alumni, and community members gathered Tuesday to show their appreciation for the 81-year-old campus and celebrate the start of construction on their new school.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held just beyond the site where the current school is undergoing demolition and adjacent to where construction crews have started work on the foundation for the new school.
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Kinder HSPVA students get first look at new campus

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Excitement filled the air Wednesday at the new Kinder HSPVA as students toured the facility for the first time in advance of the school’s official opening day on Jan. 7.

Over winter break, the school will move out of its current campus in Montrose and into a new five-story building located at 790 Austin St. in downtown Houston near the city’s renowned arts and theater district.

“I think their mouths will be wide open,” HSPVA Principal Scott Allen predicted as he waited for the students to arrive. “They’ve seen photos, but that doesn’t do this building justice. They will feel so special that this state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind facility was built just for them.” Continue reading

Construction on new Madison HS nears completion

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Construction on Madison High School’s new building is nearly complete, with final preparations currently underway and an opening day set for January 2019.

Installation of carpet and vinyl flooring is wrapping up, and crews have begun installation of ceiling tile. The installation of the seating and wood flooring in the auditorium and gymnasium is also underway.

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Bond Oversight Committee updated on remaining school construction projects

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HISD’s Bond Oversight Committee gathered for their quarterly meeting on Tuesday to discuss the progress of 2012 Bond Program construction, which is 74 percent completed and expected to wrap up by 2020.

HISD Construction Services is expected to complete more than 80 percent of all planned school construction projects by the end of the year, including bond projects, and renovations and rebuilds related to Hurricane Harvey.

By early next year, only four bond schools — Lamar, Bellaire, Northside, and Austin high schools — will remain under construction. Continue reading

Austin HS prepares for start of construction

Construction crews at Austin High School spent much of the summer working to complete demolition, abatement, and underground site work in preparation for the start of construction on their new building.

While significant progress was made, the project encountered some hurdles. City of Houston permitting procedures changed and now require additional documents and information to be submitted. Additionally, asbestos removal took longer than anticipated.

To accommodate the additional time needed to procure the permit and safely remove hazardous materials from the construction site, school and project officials have updated the construction timeline. The school is now scheduled to will move into its new facility in summer 2020, with students and staff returning for the 2020-2021 school year. Continue reading