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New Eugene Projects Provide Something for Everyone

A recent $116 million levy is funding a few major projects and many smaller ones within Eugene's 4J School District.

by Sheila Bacon

Part of the upgrades at North Eugene High School include a new main entry with a curved glass curtain wall. Photo by Sheila Bacon

Eugene's recent investment in its 4J District schools takes the form of two new elementary schools and significant improvements to two high schools.

A $116 million levy passed in 2002 funds the projects, said Bob Sikes, project manager for the Eugene 4J School District's Capital Improvements Program. The money will also pay for two new middle schools, one of which is in the bidding process and another that will bid this fall. A number of smaller improvement projects are also being performed at nearly every school in the district.

"The concept was to be able to touch everybody a little bit," Sikes said.

Two nearly identical elementary schools are under construction and scheduled for completion in July, said Tom Haeg, the project manager in charge of the elementary schools for the district.

Each school features approximately 67,400 sq. ft. of usable space. Both schools' exteriors are brick and metal siding with sloping metal roofs. Inside, four wings feature six classrooms each. The classrooms are organized around a commons area that can be used as teaching space. The schools also contain a media center, gymnasium, cafeteria and administrative offices.

The $11.6 million Northside Elementary - renamed Bertha Holt Elementary - replaces Washington and Willakenzie elementaries. Southside Elementary - or Ce´sar Cha´vez Elementary - takes the place of Patterson and Moreland elementaries and is a $12 million project.

Combining schools into larger facilities means more administrative efficiencies and bigger and better libraries, media centers, gymnasiums and cafeterias, and the two elementaries represent the first new schools built in the 4J school district in 35 years, Haeg said.

Dull Olson Weekes Architects of Portland is the project's architect, and Chambers Construction of Eugene is the general contractor.

Bigger Kids, Smaller Jobs

Both North Eugene High School and South Eugene High School are receiving improvements. Once classes resume this fall, students in both facilities will return to renovated cafeteria spaces and new kitchen facilities.

McKenzie Commercial of Eugene is the general contractor for both jobs and Robertson/Sherwood of Eugene is the architect.

The goal of the improved lunchroom areas is to keep students on campus.

"We're trying to increase the head count in the cafeteria during the lunch period," Sikes said. Currently, most students leave campus during lunch breaks to eat elsewhere.

At South Eugene, $3.5 million in modernizations include the removal of a south wall and construction of a curved glass curtain wall system. This addition will bring light into the renovated cafeteria space - an area that previously saw little light - and also give students a sweeping view of the school's football field. The institutional picnic table-style furniture in the cafeteria will be replaced by round tables and chairs, which are more appealing to high school students, Sikes said.

Improvements at North Eugene include an expanded cafeteria and student lounge area, a new kitchen and minor renovations to some classrooms and hallways, said Alan Reynolds, project superintendent. The cafeteria/lounge area will expand about 10 ft. into an existing courtyard and be reconfigured internally. A rolling door will separate the kitchen from the student area.

The $2.5 million job has been broken up into phases. The first phase, completed earlier this year, included asbestos abatement, minor upgrades to the school's restrooms and the enclosure of a courtyard into a classroom. Phases two and three involve the kitchen and cafeteria work.

The fourth phase, occurring simultaneously with the other phases, includes a new entryway to the school. Crews will replace the existing main entry with a curved glass curtain wall, essentially giving "a new face to the school," Reynolds said. "This will add a little bit of distinctiveness to the building."

It will also help further identify the school, Sikes added. A common complaint was that the main entrance was hard to find. The curtain wall will brighten and enliven the space and give students an area other than the cafeteria to congregate.

Demolition of the existing canopy and entryway will take place this summer, and the new entry will be complete this fall.