Here’s the latest news from the folks managing the Hamilton International Middle School remodel. The aerial shot to the left was taken on December 24.
As of the end of December 2009, the skylight has been installed in the east historic gym and finish work is underway on the 3rd and 2nd floor of the historic building, including final drywall, paint, ceiling tiles, wood trim and ceramic tile. Steel frame installation for the grand stairs at the commons has begun, and other interior stair structural work is nearing completion. The exterior masonry is nearing completion with interior masonry work fully complete. On the west side of the playground, the terrace walls are in place and backfilled. Sidewalks are underway at the south side of the site.
In January, the grand staircase and stair towers will be completed and finish work will continue on the 3rd and 2nd floors. Drywall will be installed on the first floor and final framing will be completed at the commons.
Visit the BEX website at bex.seattleschools.org to see construction photos, news, updates and more on the construction progress.
Please contact the on-site Hamilton project manager, Michael Romero, at (206) 633-1000 or [email protected] at any time if you have any questions or concerns about the project or construction-related activities.
Please note – For safety reasons, visitor access is not permitted on the construction site at this time.
When I went there, the kids nick-named it Hamil-“traz”…But I liked it.
Just beautiful. Makes me think of something that “Sam” on West Wing said once: “Public schools should be palaces.” I am very proud of our city and district for making this happen.
I view the Hamilton project with horribly mixed feelings. Many of us in the community spent nearly 20 years working with the City and with the School District to realize something brilliant for Hamilton. All the ducks were in order. The planets were aligned. But the School District instead ravaged dischord on our neighborhood to extricate themselves from prior commitments.
Had the Neighborhood Plan been executed as developed we could have advanced significantly toward our vision for a Community Center, a new place for seniors to gather, a middle school with a performing arts facility, a full-size gym, and space for the APP program at Hamilton, a larger Seattle branch library, an athletic field for the school, and a sustainable design that included canopy and energy improvements – the stuff that DREAMS are made of.
I am very happy that Hamilton has finally gotten a new home. Unfortunately, I look at the building and see a fluid cooler middle finger extended proudly by the District toward the Landmarks Board and I weep for what might have been.