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Transformation of FHS
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Progress and Plans
FHS: Phase 1
The Transformation of Fayetteville High School: Phase 1 Construction Underway
Work is proceeding according to schedule on Phase 1 of the transformation of Fayetteville High School. So far, district staff have gutted Bates Annex, the building that fronts Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (behind the main FHS building). Every reusable fixture has been removed.
All classrooms along with the TV studio have been relocated from the Bates Annex. The ALLPS (Agee-Lierly Life Preparation Services) program has been relocated to West Campus along with many of the classes that took place in the Agricultural Complex. West Campus is located close to Ramay Junior High, about a 5 minute bus ride away from FHS East Campus. The TV studio has been relocated to the Adams Center, which is just across Stone Street from FHS.
Soon, the construction of 234,360 square feet of space will begin, comprising new academic spaces, the cafeteria, the performing arts center, and the gymnasium. The work of the architectural team of Hight Jackson/DLR Group/Marlon Blackwell includes a new “front door” facing Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, improved performing arts, cafeteria, and athletic spaces, the development of a student commons area, green spaces for outdoor classrooms, and gathering spaces, all centered around flexible academic spaces.
In terms of what will be visible to people driving along Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, during the week of July 12th, SWEPCO trucks will appear, taking the power feed down to the building, in order to get ready for demolition to begin. At the end of July, a construction fence will go up around Bates Annex, from the back of the FHS cafeteria, all the way down to Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Bulldozers will begin dismantling the building and hauling debris away.
FPS Director of Physical Plant Services David Tate anticipates that if all goes according to plan, fencing will be up, Bates will be down, and the dirt moving will have begun by the first day of school.
FPS Project Manager Patty Plummer said, “Technology and maintenance staff have been working very hard. All the equipment has been moved over to West Campus. Maintenance is working on getting all the power and network drop needs installed so that West Campus will be ready on day one for students and teachers.”
Phase I work is being financed by the sale of $45 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB). The QSCB program allows a school district to obtain no or low-interest financing. The payments will be made over 16 years using funds realized through 2.5 million dollars worth of district budget reductions.
Phase I should be completed in time for the 2013-14 school year. Parking will be reduced somewhat by the construction process, but once construction is completed there will be enhanced parking space. FPS will be partnering with the University of Arkansas to provide adequate parking during construction. High school parents will receive notification prior to the start of school that will outline the times and dates parking permits may be purchased for junior and seniors.
We understand that on-site construction projects will involve some inconveniences at times, but we have confidence in our architects and Nabholz Construction and their ability to lead us through this process. We look forward to the day when the construction is completed, the new facilities are occupied, and the students and staff of Fayetteville High School finally have a facility that augments their talents and performances.