Planning & Construction has completed 18 projects – new construction as well as modernizations – since 1997, an average of 1.8 projects per year. This has been an enormous undertaking approved by the Tacoma voters with the 1997 tax levy, 2001 bond issue, and the 2010 levy. Building and modernizing a school is not just moving earth, erecting steel and applying bricks and mortar. Planning & Construction also coordinates moving students, teachers, administration and materials from one building to another during the construction phase. Also, Planning & Construction plans, purchases and places furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the new buildings.
This site is dedicated to providing information on the progress of the design and construction of school building projects funded by the 1997 tax levy and the 2001 bond issue.
2001 Bond Issue
In the early 1980s, a citizens’ facilities committee began a process to develop a long-term plan for building use and construction. The 2001 Bond Issue was another giant step forward in that process to create a safe, effective learning environment for all Tacoma students. The $425,000,000 bond, which was approved by voters Feb. 6, 2001, was far reaching in is scope. It included work done on all five primary high schools in the district, along with nine middle and elementary schools receiving either remodeling or new buildings. In the end, the eight year process helped The Tacoma Public Schools bring the advancements of the new millennium into its classrooms.
1997 Levy
On February 4, 1997, the voters of Tacoma approved the use of $150,111,127 for renovation and construction of facilities in the Tacoma Public Schools. The total included five brand new buildings, one modernization and a number of other smaller installations at already existing schools. Though, not as large as the 2001 Bond Issue passed four years later, the 1997 Levy was another step in the process of continuing to bring high-quality facilities to students in the district. The final construction for the levy finished in August 2003, six years after it was initially approved.
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