Category Archives: 2012 bond

Wharton renovation, expansion plans presented to community; construction to start soon

Once construction is complete, the new Wharton Dual Language Academy will feature new learning spaces and labs, a new gym and library, an interior courtyard preserving heritage trees, and a grand, three-story, glass entryway.

Designs plans for the school’s renovation and new addition were detailed to nearly 100 Wharton parents and community members Thursday night during  community meeting at the Wharton campus.

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The project is part of the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 Bond Program, which calls for renovation or replacement of 40 schools across the district. Construction at Wharton is expected to start later this year, with the Montrose-area school expected to re-open its doors in fall of 2018.

The project will expand the school’s capacity up to 900 students and eliminate all the temporary buildings from the site.

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Groundbreaking ceremonies, bond community meetings planned for spring

Two groundbreaking ceremonies, five community meetings and quarterly Bond Oversight Committee meeting scheduled through April

With construction making noticeable progress across HISD, many projects are reaching their next milestone – including including groundbreaking ceremonies at Parker Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School, and a host of community meetings scheduled for the spring.

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Update on Wharton Dual Language Academy K-8 bond project

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Wharton Dual Language Academy K-8 is receiving a new addition and general renovations of the existing facilities to accommodate 750 to 900 students. The school held its first community meeting in August to gather feedback on preliminary designs for the $35.6 million project.

Plans include a new three-story building addition that would complement and connect to the existing historical building, forming a courtyard for an outdoor learning area. With the addition of the new building, the plan is to take the main entry from West Gray to Columbus Street. The site will make use of space previously dedicated as a Little League field to expand the campus footprint.

Under the current schedule, Wharton would begin construction by the third quarter of 2016, with a target completion in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Photo gallery of HISD building projects

Wharton Dual Language Academy stakeholders get first glimpse of initial design for new building

Wharton Dual Language Academy stakeholders on Wednesday learned more about the site plan and preliminary design for a new addition and renovations to the school’s current facility, which was built in 1929.

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HISD Board of Education to consider 7 more contracts under bond program

Recommended contracts represent nearly $223 million in school construction work

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider authorizing the district to negotiate contracts with three firms to provide construction manager at risk (CMAR) services on selected bond projects. Continue reading

Design charrette held for Askew, Wharton Dual Language, Young Women’s College Prep

Project Advisory Team (PAT) members for Askew Elementary, Wharton Dual Language Academy, and Young Women’s College Prep Academy (YWCPA) spent two days this week in an intensive workshop to put together preliminary design plans for their new facilities.

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Board of Education to consider design contracts for remaining projects under 2012 bond program

Administrators are recommending that the HISD Board of Education authorize the district to negotiate design contracts with 13 firms on the remaining 14 projects within the 2012 bond program.

The latest round of contract recommendations comes ahead of schedule in response to the booming construction market in Houston. Although architect selections for schools in Groups 3 and 4 of the program weren’t slated to take place until next year, the district wanted to move forward as quickly as possible to minimize the impact of escalating construction inflation.

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