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Benjamin Franklin is said to have said, 鈥淎ll mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.鈥�

The early American Renaissance man is remembered as a mover. Recently, Franklin’s 110-ton, sandstone likeness at his namesake school in Portland was relocated temporarily and then returned as part of a bond-funded project to renovate 150,000 square feet.

The statue move has been the most challenging and interesting element of the Franklin High School modernization, according to senior project manager Trevor Wyckoff. Ben had to be moved about 80 feet to the south so work on football field realignment could proceed. The site was excavated last year, and the statue placed on supports and moved uphill to a temporary location.

鈥淚t was actually fairly challenging,鈥� Wyckoff said. 鈥淲hen we moved him the first time, we were not aware how big the foundation was. So when we went to move him the first time, we dug and we just kept digging and digging. We found the foundation was absolutely enormous.鈥�

Crews changed equipment and process. A specialty contractor was brought in, and supports engineered. The eventual move was completely in about half the expected time 鈥� about two hours.

Franklin, a 102-year-old facility, is being thoroughly gutted and renovated during the $104 million reconstruction project. Skanska‘s charge has been to preserve the building’s historic look while modernizing the mechanical, electrical and structural systems, and updating seismic and technological systems. The gym is getting a pre-fabricated roof.

New buildings will be added, including a Center for the Arts at the intersection of Southeast Woodward Street and 52nd聽Avenue.

Franklin’s historic auditorium will be preserved, though converted to a two-story media center. The entrance to the original main building will be transformed into a two-story entry and lobby space. The school’s track and field will be realigned 90 degrees to make room for a new gym and educational facility as well as new classroom spaces.

The design team features DOWA-IBI Group and SERA Architects. Plans call for completion by fall 2017. During construction, Franklin students are attending classes at Marshall High School, which was closed in 2011 but has since been upgraded using bond money.