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architects drawing of the front of a school with students sitting on benches and walking
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Rainier Beach

Rainier Beach High School Replacement Project

construction phase graphic showing that the school is in the Construction phase
Learn about each project phase

The existing Rainier Beach High School will be replaced with a new high school building on the same site. The construction will be done in phases so the school can remain on campus during the project.

Timeline

  • Predesign phase complete
  • Schematic design phase complete
  • Design development phase complete
  • Construction documents/permitting phase in progress
  • Bid and award phase complete
  • Phased construction: April 2022-August 2026
    • Phase 3 in progress
    • Estimated move into western 70% of new building: Jan. 2025
    • Phase 4 begins Jan. 2025
    • Project complete 2026

Community Involvement

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, students, and community members. The project construction managers also take part. Due to the timing of the Rainier Beach SDAT, meetings were held virtually. Read more and review the meeting minutes.

A virtual community update about the Rainier Beach High School project was held on June 16.

Recent Progress

See a story about the construction tent being used for winter and spring construction activities.

Progress updates are posted for the previous month.

Major Activity in February 2023

  • Continued drilling geothermal wells; 235 installed to date.
  • Began deep underground utilities: storm line, electrical, plumbing
  • Began construction of below-grade waterproofing assembly

Live Webcams and Project Progress Photos

View the webcams to see the project live.

Webcam 1
Webcam 2

This slide show shows the project as it proceeds.

a drawing of a site plan that includes a building and playfields
Site plan for replacement project
aeriel photo of a large building with playfields surrounded by houses
Aerial view of the existing school prior to construction start
a two story building with a lift across from a portable
Phase 2 – Installing the electrical connection to the classroom portable – Summer 2022
a portable classroom
Phase 2 – Installing a double classroom portable for use during construction – Summer 2022
a small building inf ront of construction debris and light poles
Phase 2 – Demolition of the grandstands – Summer 2022
two workers and a ladder in a room with metal studs for walls
Phase 2 – Progress on temporary locker rooms – Summer 2022
a large room with risers has construction debris in the center
Phase 2 – Demolition to create a temporary locker room for use during construction – Summer 2022
construction equipment in front of a building
Phase 2 – Selected demolition of existing buildings – Summer 2022
a truck with a tall drill attached and people working
Phase 1 – Installing geothermal wells for heating and cooling – Summer 2022
a drilling rig stands above a field of dirt covered in straw. trucks are in the photo
Drilling geothermal wells at the existing baseball field – Sept. 2022
a person stands in a trench with a ladder in the trench nearby
Connecting geothermal wells located beneath the future practice field
a large concrete building has weather proofing material on it
Applied weather proofing to exterior facade of existing gym – Sept. 2022
trucks in a dirt field with light poles
Drilling geothermal wells on the existing baseball field – Oct. 2022
trucks with tall things attached in a dirt field
Beginning installation of rammed aggregate piers – Oct. 2022
a playfield with a light pole and some equipment
Dewatering water treatment tanks on site – Nov. 2022
a muddy field with construction equipment
Preparing site for tent installation – Nov. 2022
a pitched framework being installed with construction equipment
Installing tent over construction area to protect from rain and snow – Dec. 2022
a large frame work is being installed over an area with large rocks
Installing temporary construction tent – Dec. 2022
a tall drill machine with a person in a hard hat stands in a muddy field
Geothermal well installation continues – Dec. 2022
a large white tent sits in a muddy construction site
Temporary construction tent completed – Jan. 2023
metal forms stand on edge in dirt under a giant tent with lights. construction workers are using equipment
Trenching and rough-in for deep underground utilities – Jan. 2023
yellow mesh covers some areas of a gavel covered ground next to canvas walls
Future location of east electrical room – Feb. 2023

Project Designs

Architects renderings of the new school

drawing of a large three story building with a walkway leading to it between trees
New main entry
drawing of a track and field in front on of a large building
Track and field
drawing of dining commons with lunch tables
1st floor dining commons
large common area with dining tables and stairs; a room with glass windows looking out toward below says LIBRARY
Library and dining commons
drawing of common area with windows looking out from the floor above
Dining commons looking toward gym
drawing of a gym with bleachers and orange and blue accents
Gymnasium
drawing of a library with bookshelves and seating
Library located on 2nd floor
drawing of an open space with seating and a wall mural
3rd floor east commons
drawing of a walkway with railings that look down to the floor below
4th floor commons looking down
drawing of a small group area with a room next to it that has blue walls
4th floor small group area
drawing of an interior hallway
Theater lobby

About the Project

Rainier Beach High School will be replaced with a new four-story high school of approximately 297,000 square feet. When completed, it will provide permanent space for 1,600 students grades 9-12. Students will remain on-site during the phased construction. A regional Skills Center is being incorporated into the project as well as a district data center. The project is being built with aspirations of a LEED Platinum certification.

Design Firm: Bassetti Architects/Moody Nolan Architects

Project Management Firm: Parametrix

General Contractor: Lydig Construction

Project Budget: $238.2M

Funding Source: Funded by the Building Excellence V Capital Levy (BEX V), approved by Seattle voters in 2019 and the Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics V Capital Levy (BTA V), approved by Seattle voters in 2022.

Contact Us

Let’s Talk Comments and Questions Form

Parametrix Manager: Paul Popovich, ppopovich@parametrix.com, 253-208-7831

Rainier Beach High School
8815 Seward Park Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98118

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