Three months have passed since the walls of the old 100s and 200s buildings fell. The plans for the new wing are waiting for final approval by the Division of State Architects and the East Los Angeles Community Union.
Initial construction will begin in March 2015, with the estimated time frame to completion being two years.
“We hope to have everything completed by the approximated time,” Assistant Principal Mr. Kevin Herington said. “If all goes well, we should have everyone moved back by the fall of 2017.”
The late start is caused by months worth of paperwork and city permit retrievals to get the construction tools.
“I know one of the main factors for not tearing down the buildings was due to an actual environmental impact study the city had done,” Mr. Herington said. “They had to cover everything from noise levels to asbestos that might have been in the old buildings.”
The brand new addition will have two floors to accommodate 34 classrooms to replace the 21 that were torn down.
“We call the new addition our phase 0,” Mr. Herington said. “As for what’s to come in the future, we have big plans ahead for the school.”
Phase 1 will include a new Physical Education facility and a performing arts auditorium.
Further reconstruction also includes the replacement of plants around the school, a brand new blacktop and ground cover to prevent dirt from flying around the 100s and 200s as well as the electricity poles and gas lines stabilized last September between the portables.