Building Excellence III (BEX III) Capital Bond
Bond amount: $490 million
Year approved by Seattle voters: 2007
Replaced: Building Excellence II Capital Levy
The bond helped pay for projects in three categories: building projects, infrastructure and technology improvements.
Building projects included the renovation or replacement of seven school facilities: Chief Sealth International High School, Denny International Middle School, Hale (Nathan) High School, Hamilton International Middle School, Ingraham High School, Rainier Beach High School, and South Shore PreK-8 School. This continues the district’s long-range plan for renewing aging school buildings throughout the city.
Infrastructure improvements included health and safety upgrades such as replacement or repair of plumbing to ensure drinking water quality, interior upgrades to improve indoor air quality, and replacement and renovation of athletic fields.
Technology improvements included replacement of outdated classroom computers, expansion of a website that keeps families informed of student progress; and improvements to business and academic systems.
BEX III Major Projects
Chief Sealth International High School / Denny International Middle School
Address: 2600 SW Thistle Street / 2601 SW Kenyon St.
School opened: Chief Sealth, Fall 2010
School opened: Denny, Fall 2011
School Profile: Chief Sealth
School Profile: Denny
Project Description: Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School are co-located on one campus. The campus provides separate outdoor student plazas for the high school and middle school students. Landscaping and building forms express environmental sensitivity and a connection to nearby Longfellow Creek. The new Denny building features murals, paving patterns that reflect global diversity, off-street bus loading, new play areas, and an environmental learning space.
Chief Sealth International High School’s modernization focused on abating life-safety issues, improving energy efficiency and comfort, revitalizing the school’s appearance inside and out, and creating a superior educational environment.
Denny International Middle School was newly constructed, with the school community moving from a nearby location. The building encourages team learning, a clear and flexible pathway to high school, and provides the many benefits of a 21st century facility.
A new, large galleria space between the two schools offers the flexibility of either separate school, joint school, or community use. The light-filled and expressive structure accommodates student services, student activity spaces, large display areas, and dining facilities.
The former Denny International Middle School buildings were demolished and sports fields were built for both district and community use.
Hale (Nathan) High School
Address: 10750 30th Avenue NE
School opened: Fall 2011
School Profile
Project Description: Approximately 75% of the existing Nathan Hale
High School was renovated with major improvements focused on the
academic core. Earthquake safety (seismic) upgrades were made throughout
the school. The use of daylight was enhanced with skylights and larger
exterior windows. The administration and student services area was
remodeled and consolidated. Mechanical and electrical systems were
upgraded or replaced in all areas of the school. The student commons
space was expanded, and a new kitchen and servery were constructed.
A new 14,000-square-foot addition houses the library, visual arts
classrooms, a weight room, and a new east facing lobby that connects the
school building to the athletics fields. Multiple small-group learning
spaces were added to the academic core, and two classrooms and an
additional science lab were created. New facilities were constructed for
KNHC C89.5 FM radio station, studios, and a radio/TV classroom. Ground
source heating and cooling was installed in the new library, art rooms
and radio station.
Exterior improvements included a new synthetic turf field, storm
water retention for all new building areas, new landscaping, and site
improvements with improved pedestrian safety and access. The project
also included native planting restoration for 400 feet of the south
branch of Thornton Creek.
Hamilton International Middle School
Address: 1610 N. 41st Street
School opened: Fall 2010
School Profile
Project Description: Alexander Hamilton Intermediate School opened in 1927 and was Seattle’s first intermediate school. It was designed by Floyd Naramore, a prominent school architect, and has been landmarked by the City of Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board.
Renovations were designed to preserve the landmarked portions and remain true to the design of the building. The existing exterior was preserved.
A large commons functions as both a lunchroom and auditorium. The new design included grade-level learning communities, two performing arts classrooms, a recording studio, and a suite of practice rooms. The building also included a fine arts classroom, a digital arts computer lab, and a technology gateway lab that combined a computer/engineering lab with a shop. A new gymnasium, with locker rooms and a fitness facility, was built adjacent to the school. A new playground was also installed.
Ingraham High School
Address: 1819 N. 135th Street
Addition opened: Winter 2015
School Profile
Project Description: A two-story classroom addition was constructed on the west side of the existing building 100, replacing portables. The addition provided 12 new classrooms and an enclosed atrium-like space. Approximately 75% of the existing trees were preserved, and at least 10 trees were planted for every one of the trees removed.
The parking lot was expanded to accommodate event parking on site. The project included improved street paving, new curbs and gutters, conversion of open ditches into underground storm culverts, new shade trees and vegetative swales, and new native understory plantings to improve wildlife habitat.
Rainier Beach High School
Address: 8815 Seward Park Avenue S.
Renovated campus opened: Fall 2008
Project funding: 75% BTA II, 25% BEX III
School profile
Project description: The primary focus of this modernization project was relocation and expansion of the library. The new second-floor, 8,000-square-foot library contained multiple spaces that could each accommodate a full classroom. An adjacent computer lab was provided for classroom or library use. East facing windows took advantage of the view across Seward Park Avenue to Lake Washington.
The former first-floor computer lab and career center were divided into two classrooms each. The library book stack room became a fifth new classroom. The former first-floor library space became the career center with an adjacent research library.
Upgrades were made to the culinary arts program by adding a new, full commercial kitchen. A new, separate dining area was designed to be shared between classroom use and dining for teachers. Minor upgrades were made to the residential kitchen.
Science classrooms were upgraded with peninsula-style lab areas to accommodate 32 students. New mechanical systems included fume hoods, acid waste and sediment traps, and 100% exhaust air.
New flooring, lighting, and ceiling tiles were installed in existing corridors to create a brighter, more modern feel. Energy efficient windows were installed on the east side of the building. Masonry and roofing repairs were made. Renovated restrooms had improved ventilation, partitions, and upgrades for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. The electrical and mechanical systems and controls were replaced.
South Shore PreK-8
Address: 4800 S. Henderson Street
School opened: Fall 2009
School Profile
Project description: The new South Shore PreK-8 School building replaced the existing structure. The new building remained attached to the Rainier Beach Community Center and shared the larger educational and community-use campus. The project featured a student commons, gymnasium, library, music classroom, middle school art classroom, K-5 art/science classroom, an applied technology lab, and flexible learning spaces with small group/tutoring rooms and team areas. The classrooms were built around seven small learning community pods by grade level, with team areas within each pod.