An unprecedented school construction boom is taking place in Oregon, including east Multnomah County. There, voters in the Gresham-Barlow School District in 2016 approved a $291 million bond measure that is now paying for modernizations of Gresham and Sam Barlow high schools, as well as efforts to replace two elementary schools.

One of the latter projects is for North Gresham Elementary School, at 1001 S.E. 217th Ave. Currently, crews are both building a new, 77,000-square-foot school and demolishing the old one, which was built in 1957.

Bremik Construction is serving as general contractor for the project, which was designed by BBT Architects of Bend. Ground was broken in spring 2018, and completion is scheduled prior to the start of the next school year in September, Bremik project engineer Zach Beaton.

Demolition is likely to continue through July, Beaton said, as crews carefully dismantle the old single-story structure, which was built largely with concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls and interior wood framing.

BBT Architects focused on four key areas for the new building: better movement of students through the school; better daylighting and HVAC systems; modern learning spaces; and better safety and security – including a secure vestibule at the entrance along with restricted access to outdoor play areas.

The new school has a slab-on-grade foundation and 56 concrete tilt-panel walls. Capacity for the two-story building will be 550 students. The 24 classrooms are organized by grade level into four-room pods around common spaces. A media center and cafeteria, covered outdoor play area and gymnasium are among the many amenities. Staff and visitor parking as well as traffic circulation will be vastly improved from the former campus configuration, according to the project team.

The exterior is dominated by metal panels, while the interior is based on the theme of constellations and the North Star – clustered, flexible spaces becoming “intersections of activity.�

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The Gresham-Barlow School District is building two new elementary schools this year with money from a $291 million bond measure approved by district voters in 2016. Ground has been broken on the first facility: North Gresham Elementary School on Southeast 217th Avenue.

This new school, which is being built to replace an existing one, will include: better classroom layouts to improve student flow, improved daylight and HVAC systems, a better learning environment stocked with modern technology, and safety and security upgrades. The latter will provide secured entry to playing fields and the playground, a secured entry vestibule and improved bus parking and parental pick-up areas.

Last week, crews with general contractor Bremik Construction and LaRusso Concrete, subcontracted for the place and finish of concrete, poured the first set of concrete panels for the tilt-up structure. A total of 56 panels will be poured before a lift day scheduled for next month. Construction will continue throughout the current school year and the new facility is expected to open in time for the 2019-20 school year.

In addition to general contractor Bremik Construction, the project team includes BBT Architects and Cornerstone Management, which is performing construction management for the school district.

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