Category Archives: 2012 bond

Washington HS community learns how fault line will impact design

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More than 65 people turned out Tuesday to a community meeting at Booker T. Washington High School to discuss how a geological fault line will impact the design of the new school being built under the bond program.

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Demolition in progress near Washington HS

Demolition crews begin clearing condemned houses to make way for the new Washington High School, March 13, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Demolition crews begin clearing condemned houses to make way for the new Washington High School, March 13, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

Heavy equipment has arrived on site, and old houses are coming down as the recently acquired property in the Independence Heights neighborhood is cleared to become part of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

After months of preparation, including extensive asbestos abatement, several of the houses were brought down this week, and more are set to follow as part of the demolition phase of construction, which is expected to last four to six more weeks.

As part of HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program approved by voters in 2012, a new $51.7 million facility will be built for Washington HS. Nearly 16 acres of land adjacent to the school was acquired by the district as part of the plan to nearly double the size of the campus.

The new campus, which will accommodate up to 1,300 students, will showcase the school’s engineering program with 21st century technology and flexible learning spaces to support project-based learning and encourage collaboration.

More information on Booker T. Washington and other 2012 bond schools can be found here.

 

HISD given go-ahead for Washington HS neighborhood demolition project

A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

A preliminary design concept shows the front of the new Booker T. Washington High School.

Demolition is scheduled to begin in early March, which follows the completion of asbestos abatement at 51 properties in Houston’s Independence Heights neighborhood – properties that were acquired by the district to become a part of the new 21st century campus for Booker T. Washington High School.

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Washington HS community gets update on plans leading up to construction of new school

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The new Booker T. Washington High School being built under the 2012 bond program will showcase the school’s engineering program through dynamic academic spaces that encourage collaboration and project-based learning.

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Washington HS design internship kicks off with straw bridge challenge

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Engineering students at Booker T. Washington High School cut straws into triangles and fastened them with tape to build a two-foot bridge that could hold a little extra weight.

“We need to build a sturdy platform that can withhold everything,” said student Nakiyah Scott while working with her teammate Monday on a bridge-building challenge that helped kick off a summer-long design team internship program at Washington.

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Design of new school auditoriums takes center stage

A space that’s usually reserved for student assemblies and performances will become more than a venue for special occasions. A year from now when the new Booker T. Washington High School is built with a new auditorium, the space will become a multifunctional theater with collapsible seating, moveable walls, and a walking grid. It will be a place where students can master production skills in stage lighting, sound, and special effects – like showering snow on an audience.

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Bond Community Meetings Offer Another Chance to be Involved

A student at Booker T. Washington High School explains a design schematic for the new school.

More than 150 people turned out for HISD’s first two community meetings on Tuesday to hear about the progress to rebuild Booker T. Washington High School and DeBakey High School for Health Professions under the district’s $1.89 billion bond program.

“The community was impressed with the work our project advisory team has done and the ideas they presented,” said DeBakey Principal Agnes E. Perry about the meeting at DeBakey, which drew about 75 people. “They liked being able to walk around to different stations to see the design drafts and to meet with the designers.”

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Board of Education to Consider 16 More Contracts Under 2012 Bond Program

Administrators are recommending that the HISD Board of Education authorize the district to negotiate contracts with seven firms to provide construction manager at risk (CMAR) services on selected 2012 bond projects.

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Board of Education to Consider 12 More Contracts for Work Related to 2012 Bond

Selected projects include 10 of the largest high schools slated for construction

Administrators are recommending that the HISD Board of Education authorize the district to negotiate design contracts with 12 firms on a dozen more 2012 bond projects, including 10 of the largest high schools. The projects represent about $750 million in bond dollars.

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