The beginning of a phased, three-year effort to update Benson Polytechnic High School is now in motion, with general contractor Andersen Construction seeking sub-bids for the start of demolition.

Benson, located at 546 N.E. 12th Ave., is one of three high schools being modernized by Portland Public Schools with money from a $790 million bond approved by voters in 2017. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2021; design and pre-construction work is ongoing.

Andersen Construction has issued a request for proposals for demolition and abatement, restoration of both wooden and steel window frames, and steel work in the buildings to remain on the renovated campus.

A mandatory pre-proposal walk-through at Benson is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, with an optional second one set for 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 22. All bids are due by Feb. 5.

The project, estimated to cost more than $330 million, is being designed by Bassetti Architects. The 102-year-old school is due to gain a host of new features, new classroom space and more. Plans call for a new, accessible front entry with a gathering area; a modernized auditorium with a retained balcony and updated lighting and AV equipment; a modernized gymnasium and indoor running track; a new student commons and cafeteria; a new outdoor courtyard; and a redesigned courtyard on the campus’ east side. All existing buildings will receive a seismic retrofit and other upgrades, and a pair of new, two-story classroom wings will be built.

Benson staff and students are expected to relocate to Marshall High School during construction.

Prospective bidders can learn more by visiting /news/2020/01/08/andersen-construction-benson-high-school-modernization-3/.

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One of Portland’s most storied high schools is due to soon receive a major face-lift, and the Historic Landmarks Commission on Monday provided the project team with design advice. The modernization proposal for Benson Polytechnic High School calls for demolition of old buildings and contemporary upgrades, and commissioners said greater explanation of those decisions must be given before they could give approval.

Bassetti Architects has designed the project for Portland Public Schools. Three firms – KPFF (structural), PAE (mechanical) and BHE Group (civil) are handling the engineering, while Mayer/Reed is taking care of landscape architecture.

The school, at 546 N.E. 12th Ave., opened in 1917 after the district received donations from local logging magnate Simon Benson, who wanted to support a trade school in the city. Benson High was one of many schools that opened in Portland in the early 20th century, when the population was growing massively; its classical revival style was popular at the time.

Plans call for removal of the south wing and most of the north wing (apart from the iconic façade facing Northeast Irving Street). The team also plans to remove existing library and automotive buildings, which were added to the school decades after it opened.

Upgrades will be made to the front entry terrace, which sits on the west side of the 7-acre site, and the rear courtyard. The new north and south wings are to have a second story, which will be set back 20 feet from the outer walls of the first story.

The buildings at the front of the campus – including the main entrance, gymnasium and auditorium – will be preserved and retained for their current purposes. Vestibules will be added to the entrances of the auditorium and gym for safety, while the main entrance will be set back upon a terrace.

Glass and terra-cotta will be used throughout to create an aesthetic combining historic and contemporary elements. Floor, shop, studio, science lab and classroom areas will each be significantly larger than they are now.

Commissioners were mixed in their assessments of the design. They recognized that the project is still in the early planning stage, and will probably change before it is presented for final review.

“Generally, the site organization is probably how I’d have it,” Commissioner Matthew Roman said. “I think it’s a good plan overall.”

While commissioners had no issues with the materials used or the proposed aesthetics, they did raise questions concerning plans for the campus – in particular, why certain buildings would be removed. The entire school is considered a historic landmark, and several commissioners said that while they appreciated the iconic façade being preserved, the design team’s presentation did not sufficiently justify removing the wings.

“You need to let us know more of what you looked at,” Commission Chairwoman Kristen Minor said. “We need to be convinced.”

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