2016 Replacement Project -Part 2
2-12-16
The structure of the new building is now almost complete. Brick veneer has started, drywall is being hung in the classroom wing and our gym areas have the first layer roofing and skylights. The next month will include setting mechanical units above the kitchen, metal decking the new roof structures, window frames and brick.
During mid-winter break, 2/15-19, the contractor will be closing the loop drive off 84th Avenue SE to facilitate work on the new trash enclosure and storage building. Parking will still be available in the lot and access to the track / field will be open.
South wall of commons along with first beam and column defining the covered play area
Covered entry walk to front door
This little structure is a mock-up of the new building sheathing, wrap, and brick veneer
Drywall in classroom
1-8-16
Work on the Middle School building is progressing as planned. The contractors finished the structural CMU (concrete masonry unit) work this month at the kitchen area, and the balance of the steel structure will be placed over the Commons (lunchroom) in next few weeks.
The classroom wing interior and exterior framing is nearly complete and mechanical and electrical rough-in continues. The building’s weather barrier (orange wrap) is being installed and will be followed in the next month by brick veneer. The openings (future windows and glass walls) will be covered with plastic to seal up the building and allow drywall and finish work to progress while we wait on the arrival of window frames and glass.
IMS Exterior sheathing and vapor barrier-classroom wing
Kitchen CMU walls
The extensive CMU walls in the gym and music area mean we are also well into the work on those spaces. Interior framing for the music rooms is complete and mechanical electrical work will begin over the next month. The roof decking on the main and auxiliary gyms is complete and construction of the skylights will begin soon. The contractors expect to have both gyms with temporary roof structures completed in the next month.
First floor classroom wing interior framing
Roof joists and skylight framing prior to decking install at main gym
IMS Fireproofing on steel structure
The project continues to be on schedule and within budget.
12-15-15
Kassel & Associates, our general contractor at Islander Middle School, made great progress during November. The complex structural CMU walls in the gymnasiums and music area are nearing completion and the crane is back on site hanging steel.
Framing on the classroom wing is underway along with work on installing mechanical piping and the fire sprinkler system. The radiant floor system (insulation, tubing, and topping slab) were completed on both the first and second levels of the classroom building. Our first of two roofing systems has been installed on the classroom wing and has “dried-in” the area. All rough-in for the kitchen is complete and the slab will be poured as soon as weather permits.
In December, a significant amount of structural steel will go up, roof trusses will be set, and metal roof decking will be placed. CMU work will finish at the gym and the scaffolding will be moved to the very east end of the building along the parking area. A small section of tall CMU wall at the east end will require a temporary modification to the walkway between the school and the track. Inside the building, metal stud framing will be ongoing along with electrical rough-in and work on the mechanical systems.
Above: IMS Aerial Photo from Nov 28 2015
Above: IMS Exterior framing at classroom wing
The project continues to be on schedule and within budget.
11-10-15
The structural system for the Islander Middle School expansion is comprised of both CMU (concrete masonry units) and steel. In October, the steel system was completed for the classroom wing. Metal decking for the second floor and mechanical penthouse was placed. For the music rooms and gym, the structural system is a combination of CMU and steel. In this area, the steel columns have been set and CMU walls are progressing.
In November, roof trusses for the music area, gym, and the main corridor are scheduled to be set. Concrete floors at the classroom wing will be poured and exterior framing will start.
The project continues to be on schedule and within budget.
10-14-15
Setting the structural steel for the classroom wing progressed well in September. The concrete slab for the wing was poured and the beams and columns that define the four upper floor, and four main floor classrooms were set.
The area on the left side of the photo below, will include a stairway with storage underneath and two special education classrooms. These will sit directly across the main corridor and shared learning area on the main floor. On the upper level, two science classrooms sit directly above the special education rooms with a similar corridor and shared learning area configuration to the west.
The structural CMU block is also moving right along in the gyms, locker rooms, music rooms and the main corridor.
The new configuration of the drop off lane and parking lot is working well and facilitating an efficient flow of cars. Backups on 84th Avenue S.E, have been nearly eliminated and even with the slightly restricted lane adjacent to the construction area, the circulation is significantly improved.
Aerial view of IMS construction in October.
9-4-15
Work continues to progress on schedule at Islander Middle School. At the south end of the site, tall scaffolding can be seen along the gym and music sections of the building. Cement masonry unit (CMU) walls are going up along this stretch of the building and will define the main north/south corridor. Concrete slab on grade (SOG) has been poured for the gyms, music wing, and classrooms.
The parking area off 84th Ave SE has been transformed and there have been significant changes to this lot: a pullout lane southbound on 84th Avenue SE now allows for cars to que out of the lane of traffic as they enter the site; the drop off lane is separate from the parking area and wide enough to allow queuing and safe fire access to the site; and the parking area affords reasonable circulation with a dedicated one way entry and one way exit. This new configuration will take a little getting used to so the District anticipates everyone will be patient as staff and parents learn how to navigate through the new layout.
This lot will be a work in progress for the 2015/16 school year. The area adjacent to construction will be modified in the final configuration with large areas of concrete sidewalk replacing some of the asphalt that exists today. A raised pedestrian cross wall will be added along with permanent signage at the drop lane and the entrance parking lot.
The parking lot will remain unfinished during the 2015/16 school year because the current kitchen, lunch room, and music classrooms will be demolished next summer. The demolition of the structure and removal of the debris will occur from the parking lot side of the structures. In their place, a new entry courtyard and raingarden will be built. Once the buildings are removed, the final work on the lot, including the final 2” lift or addition of asphalt, new striping, signage, and landscaping will be installed.
Additional site work this summer included the installation of two large concrete pads adjacent to the track. One pad is home to containers that provide emergency storage. The other long, narrow pad, will house a waste enclosure as well as a storage building for outdoor sports equipment.
During the month of September, we expect steel erection for the new classroom wing will begin. The large CMU walls will also continue along with excavation and footings for the commons area.
The project continues to be on schedule and within budget.
Aerial Photo from September 1, 2015
East parking lot paved and striped
8-10-15
The contractor continues to progress with excavation, grading, forming of footings and stem walls, installing rebar and pouring concrete. The slab on grade has been poured for the new gyms, fitness room, and adjacent spaces. Footings and stem walls are all poured for the new music and classroom wings. The rebar seen extending up from various footings is the base for the CMU or Concrete Masonry Unit block that will begin shortly. Utilities including electrical and mechanical continue within all areas of the building.
The scheduled summer work along 84th Ave SE and the parking lot are on schedule and will be ready for school activities that are planned to begin in late August. Although this area looks quite messy, it is organized mess. A tremendous amount of utility work has occurred at the frontage on 84th Ave SE and within the lot, including: power poles relocated; Century Link phone routing reconfigured; trenches and conduit for new gas and power services placed; ancient storm lines replaced; 1950’s vintage water lines replaced; new sewer lines installed; and the new fire service loop is in progress. In addition, we have placed the foundations for two new small structures adjacent to the track.
Aerial Photo from August 3, 2015
Classroom footings poured and ready to strip
Gym slab poured on south end of building
Over the next few weeks, we will see CMU placement begin, along with some of the steel columns at the gym. At the parking area, curbs will be poured, asphalt placed and will include wheel stops and striping. The path along 84th Ave SE will be relocated and paved. Track and field access from the new parking lot will also be available again in in the fall. Again, we thank all our neighbors for your patience this summer.
The project is on schedule and within budget.
7-16-15
There has been great progress at Islander Middle School in the past few weeks. The contractor continues with excavation, grading, building forms, placing rebar and pouring concrete. The Gym and Music wing footings and stem walls have been completed and cement masonry unit (CMU) shear wall construction will begin soon. Grading for the classroom portion of the building has also begun and footing forms will be built over the next month. The elevator pit foundation has been poured and rebar for the walls have been placed. Site utilities including mechanical, electrical and plumbing are also progressing. Several loads of steel will arrive over the next few days. Concrete trucks will arrive over the next month as we pour more footings and begin work on the slabs. We plan to start construction of CMU walls in a couple of weeks.
We appreciate your patience as we move forward with construction along 84th Avenue SE. Summer work began with crushing the large asphalt parking lot and a portion of the asphalt path along 84th for reuse as a base under the new asphalt. This allows us to reduce the number of trucks hauling material on and off the island. We are also relocating most of the utilities which requires us to periodically close the path. We recognize this work is affecting the neighborhood access to the track and field complex and thank all of you for your patience.
Aerial Photo from 2 July 2015
Elevator pit being formed
Stem walls being poured in gym wing
6-9-15
The contractor is making good progress on the site preparation, excavation, building forms, and the placement of rebar and concrete for footings. These activities will continue into July when the concrete masonry unit (CMU) shear wall construction will begin.
In addition to the activities you can see on the site, there is a tremendous amount of working being done off site. The steel structure is being detailed and fabrication is set to begin in the next few weeks. Detailed shop drawings for roof joists, metal floor decking, mechanical piping and ducting, fire sprinklers, and all the components of the building are being prepared, reviewed, discussed, coordinated and finalized for delivery and installation.
Above: Footings for the Fitness Room, Locker Rooms, Main and Auxiliary Gyms being poured on the SW corner of the site.
Above: Fitness Room footings
Above: Music wing footings being formed
Please remember that we have a significant amount of work planned this summer for the frontage along 84th Avenue SE and the large parking lot to the east of the school. The lot will be closed to all use beginning on June 22. All staff access to the building will be off the bus loop on SE 72nd Street and community members using the track and playfields will need to park at the south end of the complex or at Lakeridge Elementary. Signs are posted in the lot and notice has been given to all scheduled users of the fields.
5-12-15
The contractor has finished all demolition activities necessary to enable construction of the new building. Site preparation is underway. Utility modifications and new installations continue. This week we started digging for foundations. Grading and continued preparation of the building pad will occur over the next few weeks.
Temporary enclosure of MPR
4-29-15
The contractor is continuing work to remove the underground portion of the old gym. The big blue machine that can be seen on the site has been breaking up the concrete and grinding it into a material that can be reused on site. This process has greatly reduced the number of truck trips on and off Mercer Island. The site has been stripped of sod and topsoil and grading has begun. Our large storm and sewer structures have started to arrive and the contractor is working to relocate existing utilities and install new ones so that work on the foundations can begin. Our current schedule shows the foundations starting in mid to late May.
We are working hard to isolate and contain the construction site. The multi-purpose room has been reduced in size and a temporary wall has been built to separate the space. The small glass enclosed extension on the west side of the multi-purpose room along with the table storage room were removed on Wednesday afternoon.
Rebar pile and concrete crusher
Multi-Purpose room with temporary wall installed
West extension of MP room comes down
4-10-15
Kassel & Associates, this district’s general contractor, has made great progress since arriving a few weeks ago. The new construction entrance to the site off of SE 72nd has been installed. The fire access loop around the west and south portion of the new building has been temporarily installed to facilitate access to the site. During spring break we separated the systems (fire alarm, sprinkler system, security system, mechanical, electrical, and structural) between the multi-purpose room and the gym building to allow for demolition, which is well underway. The multi-purpose room and music classrooms will remain in place through construction and are scheduled for demolition during the summer of 2016.
Trees were removed from the site to allow the work on the new queuing lane along 84th Avenue SE and the parking lot to begin as soon as school is out in June. There were a number of cottonwoods removed along with a few beautiful deciduous trees and one majestic old fir. The fir was saved and taken to a mill to be cut, kiln dried, and made into benches for the new building’s entry courtyard. The district, in conjunction with the City of Mercer Island, tried every imaginable design to save the big fir and ornamental trees along 84th. We could not come up with a reasonable plan that could accommodate a queuing lane to get cars out of traffic on 84th while entering the parking lot, and keep the connecting path between 72nd and Lakeridge without their removal. It was sad to see them go, but we will replant heavily in this area.
The week of 4/13/15, the south bay of the main parking area for the school will be blocked off to prevent parking and allow for truck traffic to exit the site. We expect to maintain pedestrian access through this area but need room to maneuver these big trucks. Work over the next few weeks will involve hauling off the demolition material, tree debris, and the after school removal of the multi-purpose room extension and table storage room. We expect earth work activities will also get underway.
03/27/15
On Friday, March 27, the Mercer Island School District (MISD) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Islander Middle School expansion project. Mercer Island School Board members were joined by members of the Mercer Island City Council, leaders from the campaign for the Feb. 2014 bond proposition, and students in the sixth-grade band.
“This expansion of Islander Middle School is only possible following the great work of two community-based bond committees, the school board, key district staff and city government. This groundbreaking ceremony represents the success of our joint efforts to improve learning conditions for every one of our public school students,” said Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano.
03/20/15
The contractor is gearing up this week. Fencing is scheduled to arrive mid-week and work to prepare the locker rooms and the gymnasium for demolition is underway. Students will continue to have access to the south gym until spring break. Over the next few weeks, we will be salvaging lockers, installing a new rock road access around the new building site, performing abatement activities in the gym structure, and preparing for an intense week of work while staff and students are out for spring break in early April.
The groundbreaking celebration for the new building is scheduled for March 27th at 2:00 p.m. The location is to be determined. The community is invited to attend.
2/25/2015
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Mercer Island School Board authorized award of the construction contract for the Islander Middle School expansion to Kassel & Associates of Redmond. Kassel & Associates has completed a number of large projects on occupied sites. The contract will include the base bid and all alternates listed on the Bid Tabulation Form. Building permits will be issued this week and we expect work to begin on site within the next few weeks.
Click here for a graphic showing the site and construction activities we are planning for this spring.
2/2/2015
The District opened bids from five general contractors on Friday the 30th of January. The bids were within the budget and staff is in the process of reviewing the qualifications of the apparent low bidder. The bid tabulation form is available here. Award of the contract is planned for late February. Because the project has a small amount of State Matching funds, we must complete the required paperwork and receive OSPI’s approval prior to signing the construction contract.
1/20/2015
The Islander Middle School project is “on the street” and we are scheduled to open bids at the end of the month.
1/05/2015
The Islander Middle School project is being released for bids this week with a bid opening scheduled in late January. It is anticipated that work will begin on site in the spring and the project is still on the original schedule and within budget.
11/18/2014
The project received approval by the City of Mercer Island Design Commission last week and we submitted for Building Permit review on Friday. These are both huge milestones for the team and schedule. The District and Design Team are continuing to work on the multitude of details that go into a project of this size and scope. Kitchen equipment and layout, floor coverings, technology, door hardware, tree removal, site access plans, utility relocations, cabinet layouts, storage space layouts, instrument storage layouts for music, fire alarms, security systems... the lists just go on and on. If you have ever done a home remodel, you have a tiny sense of the complexity of each of these issues. We remain on schedule and within budget. Here is a link to our latest renderings.
10/13/2014
Design work continues for Islander Middle School. The architect and engineers are finalizing the construction documents and working towards the building permit submittal. There is a meeting scheduled with our Lakes neighbors who share a common property line with the school to review the plant material proposed for the buffer between. That meeting is will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the IMS Library.
9/1/2014
Eight of the nine portable classrooms were moved from the west side of the site around to the north this summer. New electrical service was installed and district staff has been busy getting intercoms, phones and data up and ready for the first day of school. This move was necessary so that when construction of the new building begins in the spring, the area is clear, ready for work and no disruption of classes would be necessary. As with Elementary School #4, the design phases are finishing up and the process of creating the construction documents is underway. Our change in site design and building layout this spring stalled the design for about a month, but the changes have been made, neighbors are happy, the district is happy and so is the architect. The project is within the established budget and on schedule.
Click here to view the most recent Design Development Graphics.