Mercer
Asa Mercer International Middle School Replacement Project
Asa Mercer International Middle School will be replaced with a new school building on the same campus.
The school has relocated to the Van Asselt School interim site — 7201 Beacon Ave. S — for the 2023-2024 and the 2024-25 school year.
Timeline
- Pre-design phase
- Schematic design phase
- Design development phase
- Construction documents/permitting phase
- Construction phase in progress
- School opens Fall 2025
Project Progress
Live Video of Project
Photos
Construction Update
Project updates are posted for the previous month.
Major activity in February 2024
- Completed deep footings and grade beams.
- Poured concrete footings and stem walls in the classroom wing and the area for the library and commons.
- Continued drilling geothermal wells, now 80% complete.
- Continued under-slab utilities work.
- Continued pouring concrete floor slabs and grade beams for the areas that will house administration, main entrance, and the gymnasium.
- Continued applying below-grade waterproofing for concrete footings, stem walls, and slabs.
- Started erecting wood partition walls for locker rooms.
Major activity expected in March 2024
- Continue drilling geothermal wells.
- Continue under-slab utilities work.
- Continue pouring concrete foundation footings, stem walls, and slabs.
- Continue waterproofing.
- Begin erecting walls for Area C: administrative offices, gym, and main entry.
Read the Neighborhood Update from the project team.
Current Designs
This site plan shows the planned layout for the campus and new school building. North is to the left of the image. At the bottom is the west boundary at 16th Avenue S.
Community Participation
School Design Advisory Team
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 Mercer International Middle School SDAT.
About the Project
The existing Asa Mercer Middle School building will be demolished and a new mass timber multi-story middle school building of approximately 174,000 sq. ft. constructed. Once complete, the new school building will provide permanent space for 1,000 students in grades 6–8.
The new one- to three-story school will be surrounded by landscaping and outdoor learning spaces. A synthetic turf practice field is planned for the east side of campus. A new, secure entry will welcome students, families, and the community with a clearly defined “front door” to the school.
Classrooms will be organized by academic neighborhoods, with flexible support spaces to promote a sense of community and support academic success for all students.
Sustainable design features are built in to meet district goals for clean energy and renewable resources.
Interim Location: During construction, Mercer International Middle School will be located at the Van Asselt School Interim Site, 7201 Beacon Ave. S. An addition is being constructed at that location to convert it to a site large enough for temporary use by middle schools.
Construction Project Management Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. (SOJ)
SOJ Construction Manager: Justine Kim, justinek@sojsea.com, 206-838-3706
School Design: Bassetti Architects
General Contractor/Construction Manager: Cornerstone General Contractors
Funding Source: Funded by the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy, approved by Seattle voters in 2019.
Budget: $152.5M
Asa Mercer International Middle School
1600 S Columbian Way
Seattle, WA 98108