Architects contracted by the San Diego Unified School District outlined Phase I of a long-term project to upgrade facilities at Point Loma High School during the first of three planned community meetings on the campus last week.
David Thompson, speaking on behalf of the AVRP Studios architecture firm, told about 50 students, staff members and neighbors that construction on this early phase of modernization would likely begin in April 2017, with completion expected to take three years.
The end result will lower the number of classrooms on campus from 90 to 78, a number the district feels will be sufficient given a prediction of future enrollment reduction to about 1,800 students. Each of these classrooms will meet the district’s standard for size, technology and comfort, while a number of current ones do not.
This project is part of the district’s goal of keeping every campus up to date in an environment that encourages optimal student learning using voter-approved proposition funds.
Thompson and his company took notes from community member input in a series of community meetings last year to learn what was most highly desired. These ideas, plus those of school staff, were taken into consideration when drafting the current proposed changes.
At future meetings (6 p.m. Feb. 11 and 25 in the PLHS Media Center), Thompson will return to answer concerns expressed at this meeting and share building designs and plans in greater detail. Phase I projects include:
nDemolition of the 800 building, an unusual round structure, which currently houses the school’s media center, technology services and 11 second-story classrooms.
nRebuilding of the 800 building closer to Chatsworth Boulevard as a three-story facility with media center and 20 new classrooms.
nRenovation of the 200 and 300 buildings to provide classrooms and facilities that meet current district standards.
nSecurity improvements for the entire campus that would include two campus access points on Chatsworth Boulevard. A “security portal” walkway from the Clove Street parking lot directly to the school office would remain open while all other campus access points are secured once the school day begins.
nDemolition of the school’s auto shop and closure of the program to add 47 parking spaces.
nTurn-outs along Chatsworth Boulevard allowing buses and autos to protrude less into traffic lanes.
nImproved landscaping along Chatsworth Boulevard.
School principal Hans Becker is excited about a new engineering program currently being established at the school that would be housed in one of the newly refurbished classrooms.
Other improvements will include replacement of the school’s 400 building, which currently houses the cafeteria. Thompson’s firm envisions a new multi-level cafeteria with several food-serving points and terraced seating areas to provide students a more pleasant dining experience.
A multi-functional, landscaped central outdoor area and campus walkway (“paseo”) along with the addition of bridges between main campus buildings will facilitate student and staff movement.
The service driveway from Chatsworth Boulevard, which currently has a sharp turn and is not wide enough for vehicles to pass, will be straightened and widened, creating space for two outdoor basketball courts.
Thompson noted that one of the most sensitive aspects of the project is the removal and re-installation of the site’s technology and data services center, a vital aspect of day-to-day operations. He also explained why the project must be done in phases and noted district and site officials will have to make adjustments to cope with construction effects.
Community-supported projects which proved too costly for available funds included demolition of the current Lee Trepanier Gymnasium to be replaced with a multi-level parking structure that would greatly increase the number of on-campus parking spaces. A new, smaller gym would be built atop this parking structure on a level with the football field.
Without the proposed parking structure, the number of campus parking spaces will only jump from 133 to 180, meaning students will continue parking on surrounding streets.
Instead, the current gym, which Thompson’s staff felt was badly outdated, will be modernized.
Also nixed was a new driveway entering the campus from Chatsworth Boulevard leading directly to the current Clove Street parking lot. Thompson said that, due to a tight turn and slope issues necessitating retaining walls, the driveway would use significant funds needed more in areas benefiting student learning.
Audience members suggested the Chatsworth Boulevard side of campus as an ideal location for the design of buildings and other features to recall the original campus’ Spanish architectural style. Also mentioned was the unification of the multiple architectural styles now seen on campus.
Others questioned why the proposed double-decking of the Clove Street parking lot was not included in current plans. Thompson recalled community input on the structure was negative, which several people questioned. In previous discussions, his firm proposed lowering the first level, making the overall height less and adding over 100 parking spaces. Concerns also involved placement of materials and equipment during construction, student safety when crossing Chatsworth Boulevard, and whether the current sewage system at the site is sufficient.