Salem-Keizer’s Construction Services Department has been hard at work planning the sequence of projects funded by the $619.7 million bond approved by voters on May 15.
Every school in the district is planned to receive improvements under the bond.
Twenty-nine schools are scheduled to receive major capital improvements such as classroom additions, cafeteria expansions, career-technical education spaces, parking and traffic flow renovations and more. While the scope of work and time needed to complete it varies at the 29 schools, each will follow the same general process to move from design concepts to final construction.
- Step 1: Design Development – 12 months or more, depending on size of project
There are three phases in the Design Development process:- Schematic Design – When it’s time to begin planning for construction (approximately two years before construction is scheduled to begin), Construction Services will ask school principals to assemble a Design Team comprised of select staff or others with knowledge specific to the new spaces and changes that are planned for the school. Students may also be involved in later phases of the schematic design process. The Design Team will meet with architects and bond program management staff to move from initial design concepts to a final schematic design document which includes preliminary floor plans, site plan (parking, traffic flow, location of athletic fields, etc.) and elevations (building exterior).
- Design Development – Architects revise the schematic design into more detailed plans that show mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and architectural features.
- Construction Documents Development – After the final building design described in the design development documents is approved, the architect produces very detailed documents including product specifications for materials. The final construction documents are then sent to contractors for bidding.
- Step 2: Construction Bidding/Award Process – six months
Contractors submit competitive sealed bids through the district’s Purchasing Department. - Step 3: Demolition – one to three months
At some schools, portions of the existing buildings will be demolished and replaced with new construction. Demolition is planned to be completed in the summer when possible. - Step 4: Construction – approximately 15 months (including demolition)
Schools will be active construction zones for approximately one full school year plus the months of summer prior to and after the school year. For example, schools starting construction in 2019 will be construction zones from June 2019 through at least August 2020. Construction is planned to be substantially complete within 15 months, which means the district accepts the building for use but some minor work remains to be completed. School Design Teams will play an important role in helping schools adjust operations during construction to minimize disruption. It is important for parents and school staff to enter the construction phase with the understanding that school will operate differently for at least one year, and there will certainly be disruptions. It’s also important to keep in mind that the disruptions are temporary, and the resulting improvements will be worth the effort.
The total renovation process from design to completed construction can take about three years. See the sample timeline.
The five schools planned to start construction in summer 2019 are finishing up the design development phase. The first five schools are Gubser Elementary School, Judson Middle School, Waldo Middle School, McNary High School and North Salem High School.
See the current construction schedule. Please note: the schedule is subject to change.