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The first phase of modernization of Portland’s Roosevelt High School is poised to start soon, and finish by the end of 2017.

鈥淲e’re mobilizing this spring and will be doing some site work,鈥� said Michelle Platter, Portland Public Schools‘ capital project director. 鈥淲e’ll get into some heavy construction after school releases for the summer.鈥�

‘s total cost began at $72 million, but has since increased to $92 million, according to Jim Owens, executive director of PPS‘ Office of School Modernization. He said that with school capacity increasing, more classrooms are needed. Also, construction costs are higher than expected previously.

The Roosevelt project is part of PPS’ eight-year school improvement effort made possible via a $482 million bond passed by voters in 2012. District officials didn’t need to find $20 million more for the project because planners previously allocated $45 million to cover cost increases incurred over the eight-year construction schedule.

鈥淏ecause the high schools are the centerpiece of the bond program, we wanted to make sure they were fully funded,鈥� Owens said, noting that Franklin High School and Grant High School also are due for modernizations. 鈥淪o, we’re able to tap into that funding to make the necessary changes.鈥�

Platter said the Roosevelt modernization project will be completed in three phases. The first phase will include construction of a performance/visual arts wing and media center, a wing featuring a gym and new classrooms, a new kitchen, and 鈥渆nough of the commons area to provide students with cafeteria space.鈥�

Phase one is scheduled for completion in fall 2016.

Phase two will entail a complete remodel of the main, U-shaped building that was part of the original high school built in 1921.

鈥淭hey will be gutting the interior, doing a seismic upgrade, adding new, modern classroom spaces, installing (an) all-new (information technology system) and redoing the electrical, plumbing and heating systems,鈥� Platter said. 鈥淚t will basically be an all-new building in the shell of the old building.鈥�

The final phase will include the last of the demolition and site cleanup projects, Platter said.

Several buildings 鈥� an existing boiler building completed in 1921, a gymnasium constructed in 1950, a classrooms/library building from 1960 and an auto shop built in 1970 鈥� will be demolished.

New construction will create a 500-seat auditorium, a 5,400-square-foot auxiliary gymnasium, a kitchen and cafeteria, and a commons area.

鈥淩oosevelt High School previously has been a series of separate buildings that, with the commons area, will be better connected,鈥� Platter said. 鈥淲e’re creating the commons area to create unification between the buildings. It’s better for (inclement) weather and better for safety.鈥�

Upon completion, the school’s total space will be 239,945 square feet in eight buildings 鈥� up from 228,536 square feet in nine buildings.

Roosevelt students will continue to attend classes at the school during construction. Three temporary classrooms 鈥� two with about 1,800 square feet of space and one with about 9,400 square feet of space 鈥� will be located at the south end of campus. Additionally, a 鈥済ymnasium tent鈥� of about 7,500 square feet will be erected for students to use while the new gym is being built. Platter explained that the tent will be a large, enclosed, metal-framed, fabric-covered structure.

The district hired Lease Crutcher Lewis as the general contractor for the project. Platter said the firm has worked with the school district throughout the design process. Bassetti Architects is the architect.