Bessie Coleman Elementary

• September 2023
• June 2023
• May 2023
• April 2023
• March 2023
• February 2023 
• January 2023

• December 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• April 2022
• March 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022

• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• August 2021
• June 2021
• May 2021
• April 2021
• March 2021
• February 2021

• December 2020
• October 2020
• September 2020
• August 2020
• June 2020
• May 2020
• April 2020
• March 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020

• December 2019
• November 2019

October, 2019: CM/GC Contractor procurement process is underway

Design Development is approaching 100%. The district, Wenaha, JLD Estimating and DLR Group are reviewing estimates and designs to reconcile with the budget. The initial land use submission has been made to the City of Corvallis and we are waiting for Planning Department feedback prior to final submission.

The team will begin the construction documents (CD’s) phase of design. The CM/GC contractor procurement process is underway with award targeted for mid-November.

August, 2019: Design Development Nearing Completion

Design Development is approaching 90%. The bond team will be reviewing these documents and JLD Estimating will prepare cost estimates. Work is underway to develop the package for the City of Corvallis Planning Department submission.

July, 2019: Summer Design Work

Design Development is in process. Focus groups with teachers, administrators and specialists took place in June to inform the design team’s summer work. This input was used as designs were developed and will be reported back to the Focus Groups after the summer break. The school’s site plan is fairly solid and we’re developing for Planning Department submission. The driveway will align with Aspen Street.

The school’s Design Advisory Committee will have meeting #4 on August 21.

May, 2019: Design Advisory Committee Meeting #3

The Design Advisory Committee met for the third time on May 1, 2019. An update on the design process is as follows:

• The new building will include three classrooms for each grade level, larger classrooms for preschool and kindergarten, 1st grade, music room, collaboration and support spaces, and an art and science classroom.
• The original idea was to use a prototype design for both replacement schools for cost efficiencies. The district has decided that buildings won’t be identical but there will be some similarities between schools and there will be design aspects that are different depending on the needs of the school. (Overall similar feel to the building.)
• Two possible site strategies were reviewed with a focus on the parking entry driveway. Option 1 shows alignment with Aspen. Option 2 shows a 150’ offset east of Aspen. There are currently 37 parking spaces, the site plans include approximately 60 parking spots and a drive through loading zone for buses and student drop-off. Volume of traffic during pick up and drop off continues to be a topic of discussion. A traffic study is being conducted. View the site concepts here.
• Field space and playground areas are a priority. A location for the school butterfly garden or shade garden is a priority.

February, 2019: Design process

A civil engineer has toured the site. Design is in progress and first Core Team meetings are underway.

Activities scheduled for next quarter include City of Corvallis land use and permitting meetings, as well as site observation for wetlands on the site.

January, 2019: Design Advisory Committee formed

The design advisory committee will begin meeting in January. Committee members include Michael Baker, Peter Banwarth, Svetlana Dascaliuc, Brian Haley, Marcy Hermens, Victor Hsu, Cara Miller, Melissa Miller, Kari Morrow, Stephanie Raleigh, Amy Sampson, Yan Wang, principal Anna Marie Gosser, and a representative from district staff.

This committee will ensure that the values of the school community are represented in the design process.

November & December, 2018: Architect Review and Site Surveying

Pre-design work is taking place including a site walk-through by the architect team. The site is also being surveyed as part of the pre-design process.

November 5, 2018: Design Advisory Committee

Site-based committee for the school will be announced and meetings with the architects will begin soon after. These committees will serve as advisors to the design professionals and will continue at least through the life of the project.