2007 Facilities Campaign (Bond Program) Gaining Momentum

HISD dedicated the 20,000-square-foot Leonel Castillo Academic Center, which houses the East Early College High School, in December 2009.

The 2007 Facilities Capital Program continues to gain momentum, as designs are completed and projects move into the construction phase. The process consists of three phases: design, bid and award, and construction.

New Construction Projects

Twenty-five new construction projects are under way. As of January 8, 2010, ten are under construction, two are in the bid and award phase, and 13 are in design. As many as eight additional new school projects will move into the construction phase within the next three to six months. HISD has benefited from a favorable construction market and is able to get a big bang for its buck.

Renovation Projects

One-hundred thirty-four renovation projects are a part of the 2007 Facilities Capital Program and 104 (nearly 80%) are in various phases of the design process. These projects are broken down into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 account for 66 projects, which will move through the bid and award process into the construction phase over the next six months.

Safety & Security Projects

HISD has nearly 250 campuses that will benefit from the safety and security upgrades in the 2007 Facilities Capital Program. The scope of work encompasses the installation of age-appropriate impact surfaces; the repair and replacement of asphalt, playground equipment, fencing, sidewalks, handrails, and ramps; and the installation of security camera systems (CCTV). The design process involved representatives from the district’s Police, Construction Services, and Facility Services Departments, as well as campus-based personnel, to ensure that the specific needs of each campus are addressed.

Athletic Projects

In addition to the above activities, HISD has replaced running tracks at four sites (Dyer Stadium and Davis, Washington, and Westbury High Schools). Pending approval by the Board of Education, HISD will replace tracks at 13 additional schools and make necessary repairs to two others. The Replacement Track Project scope of work includes removal of the existing track, and new track work begins at sub-grade, including soil stabilization, new aggregate, asphalt base, and the polyurethane running surface (including striping). New tracks will have both inside and outside curbs. The two contracts scheduled for consideration by the board on January 14, 2010, will allow construction on those projects to begin. Both contracts require construction to be completed within 150 calendar days after the Notice to Proceed date is issued.