PORT ANGELES — The community will get a first look at architects’ initial concept for a proposed new Port Angeles High School at a community forum Tuesday.
The final community forum on the design of the proposed school will begin with a tour of school facilities at 5:30 p.m. at the school’s main office, 304 E. Park Ave., followed by the forum at 6:30 p.m. in the school library.
The School Board plans to place a bond measure on the Feb. 10 special election ballot for construction of a new high school on the 39.7-acre campus at 304 E. Park Ave.
The Long-Range Facilities Task Force now estimates the cost of a new school at between $100 million and $120 million, said Kelly Pearson, district director of finance and operations, on Wednesday.
An earlier estimate was between $80 million and $100 million.
The task force recommendation is expected to go before the board Oct. 23, when the board meets at 7 p.m. at Jefferson Elementary School, 218 E. 12th St.
The final amount of the bond is expected to be determined at the School Board meeting Nov. 13.
If voters approve the bond measure, the new school likely would open in fall 2018.
Building layout
On Tuesday, McGranahan Architects of Tacoma, hired by the School Board to create a design concept for the proposed replacement school, is expected to present a building layout and an artist’s sketch of the design of the school’s main entrance.
The architectural firm, which specializes in educational facilities, has hosted two community forums, a staff forum and a series of student meetings to hear suggestions of design elements.
The proposed replacement would increase the total square footage from 222,000 to 237,000.
The majority of the new buildings would be constructed east of the Port Angeles Performing Arts Center to avoid displacing students during the construction period.
That area now includes a teacher parking area, tennis courts and a district-owned house.
The 1,122-seat auditorium, which is used by community groups for concerts and performances, would be renovated and incorporated into the new building design.
Aging buildings
Six of the 10 buildings on the campus were built in 1953, two in 1958 and two in 1978.
During a 2007 inspection of the buildings, the structures received scores as low as 25.5 out of a possible 100 score, with the newest structure receiving a 56.4 rating.
District officials have said engineers have determined that remodeling the existing buildings would cost at least 85 cents for every dollar spent to build a new school.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
