Superintendent Adam Swinyard briefed local media this week on the status of the Adams Elementary School rebuild, the first Together Spokane project to begin at Spokane Public Schools.
A replacement for the South Hill neighborhood school, funded by the voter-approved 2025 school bond, will be built by Garco Construction. The building’s design by NAC Architecture was funded by the 2015 bond.
“We have done that historically, where we'll design a building in a previous bond package so that we have a building shovel ready when the bond passes,” Dr. Swinyard explained.
In December, the Adams community relocated to “Camp Adams” at the old Jefferson Elementary School at 37th and Grand so demolition crews could begin preparing the site at 37th and Regal after Winter Break.
“The project is on schedule,” said Swinyard. “We've spent the last month and a half going through and conducting the salvage process, as well as the abatement that's environmentally necessary.” He anticipates demolition will wrap up in one to two months, and construction of a modern, accessible facility equipped for 21st century learning will begin this spring.
“We're going to hang onto a few bricks as sentimental value. Other than that, the existing structure will be taken completely down to the ground,” Swinyard shared.
He also noted that contractors are making an effort to retrieve time capsules rumored to be on the grounds, but that the contents are usually hard to discern.
“They don't hold up well,” he said. “We experienced that in the Sacajawea remodel. We found it, but it was pretty much mush. So far, we've not had good success in Spokane with time capsules surviving.”
During demolition, crews also removed portable air conditioning units that may be installed at schools without a system this summer.
When construction of the new Adams begins, neighbors will see a different building footprint on the site.
“The building will be closer to the road so that we can maximize the amount of green space and space that kids use to be buffered from the traffic flow,” Swinyard said. “The green space, the playground, and the hard top will be pushed towards the neighborhood for better community access.”
He also emphasized that the school will be more than a place for elementary students to learn, but a community gathering center for sports, neighborhood groups, and organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County.
An extensive amount of community input went into designing the building
“We go through a process with the kids, with the staff and with the local neighborhood to talk about what the needs are,” Dr. Swinyard shared. “For example, a constituent group asked us to site a bike trail that intersects the side of the property, just to make our city a little bit more friendly for our bike riders. And that just makes Spokane just that much better a place to be.”
At an upcoming SPS School Board meeting, district leaders will share an update on planning for future projects and an intentional sequence of projects to address potential inflationary cost increases and get the highest value for taxpayer dollars.
To receive future updates on this project, visit Together Spokane: Adams and select “Follow.”
IN THE NEWS
The Spokesman-Review: Construction of new Adams Elementary expected to start within 50 days
KXLY: Demolition underway at Spokane's Adams Elementary
KREM: Parents, students, watch demolition begin at Spokane's Adams Elementary School
KHQ: Adams Elementary rebuild brings excitement and nostalgia in Spokane