Houston High School construction: 'We are within sight of the finish line'

Last week, Mat-Su Borough officials and the project team behind the construction of the new Houston High School gave community members an update presentation and tour of the work completed so far.

“I know we’d all be more excited if we had scissors in our hands, but we’re working towards that diligently,” said Borough Mayor Edna DeVries during the presentation. “We thank you all for your patience. I don’t need to tell you about all the obstacles that have taken place since this project got started. We’ve all experienced them.”

“My thanks go out to you as a community for your strong, resilient leadership to try to imagine a new school for your community and the Valley,” said MSBSD Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani.

He went on to thank the project team and the Borough for all of their diligent work, especially in a post-COVID environment as challenges not seen before needed to be overcome in order to take on such a large construction project.

Building the new school has been an imperative since the November 2018 earthquake damage rendered the old structure too costly to repair, making it more economically sound to build a new school.

After demolition in December 2020, construction began in early 2021 as the building was laid out and foundations were poured. Later that year, craning of the steel structure began, with an emphasis on the steel structure being built to be much safer during seismic events.

Luckily, the roof was completed in early summer before the rains came, enabling construction to continue. Roger Hickel Contracting has upwards of 60 or more workers on site as work continues, rain or shine. Spangler said that construction started in the southeast corner of the school and is working its way around, progressing from the academic wing to the administration wing and the gym. That means the building is in various stages of completion.

Lead architect Eric Spangler of BDS Architects said, “With (the new school), it gave us the opportunity to work with the school to transform it with the CTE emphasis.”

The new building has special brace frames full of concrete so they can withstand and absorb the energy in the event of another strong earthquake. Spangler pointed out the resiliency of the new building and tried to ease concerns of those worried about future damage to the structure.

“I know it’s a concern for a lot of people who will be going to the school, so we took the opportunity with the new school, and it’s twice as strong as the old one.”

Mike Brown, the Borough Manager said that there are a lot of pieces to the structure that people might not necessarily see which will make the school much safer, more structurally sound.

“There’s going to be a transition…it’s a way different building than people were in back in 2018. When I consider where we are in regards to what they’re doing in Anchorage…I think what we’ll see here in Houston will support this community for decades,” said Brown.

Brown did ask for continued patience while acknowledging that there have been challenges to overcome, including COVID and supply issues.

“We are within sight of the finish line,” he said, while also warning that a challenge looming is the supply chain shortages, a reality that so far has not impeded progress, but added that there is a period of uncertainty for the next month and half, and could affect the electric panels.

“The teams looked at different workarounds and how to engineer it differently or different manufacturers, but the reality is that doesn’t buy us anything different schedule-wise.” Brown went on to reassure people that there is a plan to get the electrical panels in by the end of September.

“Unfortunately, these electrical panels are critical to the school and to occupancy. A temporary solution is not optional,” he added.

The original building, built in 1984 was constructed along the fault line, the Castle Mountain fault. The current construction has adopted updated building codes and take into consideration the fault line and unique seismic events Alaska is prone to enduring.

The new building has upgraded the septic system, brought in a new well, and replaced much of the piping that had been problematic, so water issues that plagued the old school are gone.

Much of the funding for the construction came from FEMA, which has guided the parameters in which construction was allowed. Specifically, the building could not be bigger than the original building, which presented some challenges for space designations.

The building will have a technical and industrial feel to it to represent the CTE focus the school is adopting.

“Staff and students will see the pipes, see the ducts, the construction and mechanical systems are exposed so that they will see what they’re be learning about, and it is by design, to make some of the things students will be learning much more real,” said Jennifer Midthun, BDS Architects, who also said that Houston Hawk red will be running throughout the building to boost esprit de corps.

December 16 remains the goal for turning the building over to the district for transition.

Staff, students, families, and community members were invited to take a walking tour of the school and what’s been done so far. While some portions of the building were difficult to see through the fencing and other obstructions as it is a work in progress, many seemed pleased with what has taken shape.

“I’m excited for it, it’s gonna be great. Nothing like a new building,” said Michael Clausen, whose kids were at Houston Middle School when the earthquake happened. “It’s going to be quite a change for them to step back into it.” Clausen expressed excitement at opening a new building, even more so as he coincidentally is the new School Resource Officer from the Wasilla Police Department.

“I’ll be the only SRO to open a brand new building,” he said, explaining that the SRO office will be right across from the main office.

“My daughter’s going to go here. This is a safe, incredible school, great programming, They built a lot of flexibility into it, so as times change and programs change, the school’s going to be able to keep up, and that’s the name of the game these days,” said Mechanical Engineer.

Mayor DeVries also expressed excitement for the build, “I’m excited to see and be over at the construction site.”

“It’s been a long, and for the community, not an easy process. But I think what we’re going to get at the finish line, which is in sight now, will be a way better outcome than what would we have had if we followed the repair scenario,” Brown said.