Projects

Alki

Alki Elementary School Replacement and Gym Modernization Project

The existing school building will be removed and a new school building will be constructed on the same site. The existing gym will not be torn down. It will be modernized. Alki Elementary will move to an interim location during construction.

Timeline

construction progress graphic showing in design development phase
Learn what happens during these project phases
  • Pre-design phase complete
  • Schematic design phase complete
  • Design development phase complete
  • Construction documents/permitting phase in progress
  • Bid and award phase in progress for early bid packages
  • Construction begins Summer 2023
  • Planned school opening: Fall 2025

Community Meeting

Monday, May 22, 2023, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Thank you to the 50 people who joined us online or in person on Monday, May 22, 2023.

You can see the video from the presentation and the presentation slides below.

Video of the presentation portion of the Alki Community Update Meeting on May 22.

Presentation from the meeting.

We are working on the questions and answers submitted during the meeting, and we will post those as soon as those answers are available.

Community Participation

The Capital Projects and Planning department values insight and input from the school community and neighbors when planning a construction project, beginning with the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) process.

Multiple tools are used including email, mail, flyers, posters, signage, community meetings, and the project web page. Summary of all communication and engagement during the Alki Elementary School planning process.

School Design Advisory Team (SDAT)

Early in the design process, representatives from the school community come together to form a school’s SDAT. SDATs typically include school and district staff, parents, and community members. Students are sometimes included for all or part of the process. The project construction managers also take part. Learn more about the Alki Elementary School SDAT.

Recent Progress

Progress updates are posted for the previous month the week after the monthly BEX and BTA Capital Levies Oversight Committee meetings.

Major activity in April 2023

  • Completed subsurface archaeological investigations over Spring Break
  • Continued coordination with Seattle Parks and Recreation (Parks) to discuss Parks property improvements and childcare relocation
  • Advertised 3rd early bid package for structures (concrete, steel, and cross-laminated timber)
  • Completed 95% construction documents and reviewed with SPS stakeholders

Current Designs

The drawings below show the current designs for the school.

an architect's drawing of a three story brick building with an open area that has people on it
Potential view of the new school building entry
architect's drawing of part of a brick building with a canopy
Potential view of the west side of new building near entry
an architect's drawing of a large open space with stairs and a few people
Potential view of the welcoming entry and central stair
an architects drawing of a classroom with an adult and a child at a white board
Potential classroom
a drawing of a building footprint layered on a city map
Site plan for potential project

About the Project

Most of the existing Alki Elementary School will be removed. A multi-story 75,000 square foot replacement school will be constructed and the existing gymnasium will remain and be modernized. The existing Seattle Parks department community center will remain.

Designed for current and future students

The new Alki will provide an equitable learning environment for up to 500 K-5 students with inclusive spaces to support its diverse community of students and families. The facility will be constructed of materials and systems that will stand the test of time and  last 75 years or more.

The new building will meet district educational standards for elementary schools, tuned to the site-specific needs of the Alki community. Input gathered from the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) — an advisory group consisting of school leaders, students, parents, and community members — ensures that the design reflects and honors the school personality, identity, and society

The design puts a priority on being easy to navigate for students, staff, and parents. It includes an inviting “front porch” at the new entrance facing the park boulevard, which will enhance connections to the community and park.

Safety and security

Visitors will enter through a secure main entrance that invites you into the administrative office for check-in before entering the school. All other doors will be locked during the school day.

Sustainability

The new Alki Elementary is being designed to work toward the district’s goals for clean energy and renewable resources and includes the installation of solar panels.

The project will have:

  • Daylight in all classrooms and learning spaces
  • Highly efficient heating and fresh air ventilation

Construction materials include cross-laminated timber (CLT), a material that reduces the carbon footprint of the whole project.

The Energy Use Index (EUI) for the project is pending with a goal of 15-18.

Interim location

Alki Elementary School will relocate to the Schmitz Park School interim site for the 2023-24 and the 2024-25 school year.

More information

Site size: 1.45 acres.

Design Firm: Mahlum Architects

General Contractor/Construction Management Firm (GC/CM): Cornerstone General Contractors

Project Budget: $66.9M

Funding Source: Funded by Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy project, approved by Seattle voters in 2019.

Project Manager: Brian Fabella, brfabella@seattleschools.org, 206-252-0702

Contact

For questions or comments about the project, please use our online feedback form

Alki Elementary

3010 59th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116

School Profile

School Website