Catalyst

Construction Progress Report #14

vernonia — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:02:44 +0000

I visited the site earlier this week and they continue to make amazing progress. The west wing classrooms are painted and the cabinetry is being installed. I am attaching a photo of the elementary hallway storage units that have already been installed. The open space above the storage cubbies will be a window to let additional light into the classroom. We will even have a couple of sinks in the hallway for art projects and if you look close you can see in the far left of the picture the color around the door into the classroom.

The majority of the sheetrock is in and they are installing the stair treads for the main stairs between the two floors. When Oregon Solutions met earlier this month it was suggested that the grand opening be held during the third week in August. We will keep you posted on the entire summer’s events as we may need your help in making the move up to the new campus.

ODOT Update

vernonia — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:39:32 +0000

The final design plans for both Missouri Avenue and Bridge Street have been completed. Even though the actual ODOT work on these streets will not begin until summer, any trees that need to be removed will have to be removed in the next few weeks. This is necessary because of a federal requirement that all trees that are to be cut down be removed before March 1^st (to ensure that there are no birds nesting in the trees). The most noticeable trees that will need to go will be the three trees on Bridge Street in front of the Vernonia Pioneer Museum. The museum has been trying to have those trees removed for years because they are not very healthy. They were not able to do so however because of the telephone lines, so this part of the project will be a win-win.

New Spencer Park Design Approved

vernonia — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:48:37 +0000

The Spencer Park Executive Committee met last week and reviewed the timeline for both demolition/deconstruction of the existing buildings and the construction of the New Spencer Park in their place. Attached is the current final design for the new park. Not all of the amenities pictured will be constructed at first. The current timeline calls for the demolition/deconstruction to be completed by this fall, with the final work (backstops, fencing, field layout, etc.) being done during the spring of 2013. We will be looking for ways in which we can involve the community to help so that we can keep the overall costs down as much as possible.

Construction Report #13

vernonia — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:07:48 +0000

When I was at the site last week and did a walk through I noticed that the west wing classrooms are painted and the east wing have the sheetrock in. They are making progress on other sheetrock throughout the building. Both the library and commons windows are in. The landscaping is coming along with parking lot trees planted and bark around them. The wood siding is complete on the east side of the library and they are nearly finished with the west side.

Construction Report #12

vernonia — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:05:34 +0000

The library windows are in! They are installing the wood siding on the outside of the library above the main entrance (see photo) , which is really making it all come together. The temporary power for the building is ready to be energized and much of the drywall in the west classroom wing is done. P&C Construction and their subcontractors are making great progress. I would also like to announce that P&C and their subcontractors have agreed to increase their contribution to the project form $75,000 to $100,000 in order to match the higher level of the Ford Family Foundation Challenge Grant. Many, many thanks to P&C, their workers and all of those who are making our new schools a reality!

Spencer Park Town Hall Meeting Planned

vernonia — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:52:41 +0000

On Tuesday December 6^th the district and city will host a Town Hall Meeting to review the proposed final design for the new Spencer Park which will be located at the site of our existing school buildings once they are removed. The proposed design has two phases. Phase I is that portion of the park that the district is responsible for to replace the amenities that were available at the old Spencer Park where the new school is being built. Phase II will involve the addition of amenities, such as an additional restroom, that the community felt would best serve them for many years to come. Please join us at 7 pm in the cafeteria to see the result that came from over 200 surveys turned in by students, staff and community members!

ODOT will be there to discuss their progress in preparing for the Missouri Ave and Bridge St work planned for next summer. The District will also providing an update on the new schools construction progress, fundraising efforts, and a slideshow of the new schools, both inside and out.

City and District Meet with State Parks Director

vernonia — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:04:59 +0000

Last Wednesday afternoon (Nov 23^rd) Vernonia hosted Oregon State Parks and Recreation Director Tim Woods and his staff to discuss the future of Spencer Park and the Bike Skills Park that has been planned for Vernonia. Some of those in attendance were Senator Betsy Johnson, County Commissioner Tony Hyde, Mayor Josette Mitchell, City Administrator Bill Haack, WGS Principal Aaron Miller, and Kurt Lango from Lango Hansen Landscape Architects who are working to help design the New Spencer Park. Based on the numerous reports the meeting went well. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Last Wednesday afternoon (Nov 23^rd) Vernonia hosted Oregon State Parks and Recreation Director Tim Woods and his staff to discuss the future of Spencer Park and the Bike Skills Park that has been planned for Vernonia. Some of those in attendance were Senator Betsy Johnson, County Commissioner Tony Hyde, City Administrator Bill Haack, WGS Principal Aaron Miller, and Kurt Lango from Lango Hansen Landscape Architects who are working to help design the New Spencer Park. Based on the numerous reports the meeting went well. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Construction Progress Report #11

vernonia — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:34:11 +0000

The site is set for winter. There is grass growing where both the baseball and softball fields will be as well as the main playground to the north of the school. The road across the fields to the retention pond is complete as well as the back road that leaves the school property in the northeast corner onto Texas Ave. This will be used primarily for fire access to the back of the school and to get to the current house that will be eventually used as the district office and partner space.

New Spencer Park Design Coming Together

vernonia — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:38:00 +0000

After being reviewed by the Spencer Park Advisory Committee on November 10^th the latest park designs were shared yesterday (November 16^th) at a special joint Parks Committee /City Council/School Board Meeting in the cafeteria. The current park design is based on input from over 200 surveys about what people liked best about the three options that were presented at the last Town Hall immediately after the school board meeting October 20^th. There will be one more Town Hall to share the current proposed park design on December 6^th at 7 pm in the cafeteria. Please mark your calendar so you can join us.

Construction Progress Report #10

vernonia — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:08:32 +0000

West Wing Classroom Framing

The west classroom wing (see photo in ‘read more’) is in full swing. Framing is complete on the 1st level, skylights installed, and roofing complete. The concrete openings are getting ready for window frames and glass. It’s the contractors goal to get the building “dried in” as soon as possible. It is important to get the openings closed to keep the water out, and keep heat in the building for the drywall mud to dry. The steel for the two main stairways between the first and second floors is in and the concrete base will be poured soon. You can really begin to see the layout of the school come together.