Construction Updates for John Muir

January 2024 Updates from SDAT

At the January 2024 PTA meeting, Seattle Public Schools’ School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) provided the following updates:

• Construction estimates for this project are over our $9.65 million budget.
• ­been working to reduce cost while maintaining quality and supporting teaching and learning
• ­scope that does not align with identified levy commitments has been removed from the project
• We’re on schedule.

Major Activity Completed This Period: December 2023 

• Completed User group meetings with Early Learning faculty and staff. 
• Completed Departures Advisory Committee meeting; verbally approved. 
• Continued construction document efforts and preparation of permit submittal and 65% CD set. 

Major Activity Planned for Next Period: January 2024 

• Communicate scope reductions to school community. 
• Continue construction document efforts, preparation of permit submittal and 90% CD set. 
• Obtain Departures approval recommendation report from Department of Neighborhoods. 
• Host SEPA Hearing, which is scheduled for January 19, 2024, 10 – 4 pm. 

Overview

In April of 2023, John Muir Elementary hosted a meeting to share more about upcoming construction and building improvements to share progress and solicit feedback from the community. The slides from the presentation give significant detail and context for SPS’ strategic plan, focus on equitable access and building welcoming schools, safety and maintenance processes, as well as more information about the district’s commitment to sustainability and climate. You can learn more about the planned changes below. Please note that the information below is subject to change as part of the design process.

Timeline

After the April 2023 meeting, the next steps are:

• Gather feedback from community (see below)
• Build cost estimate
• Meet with School Design Advisory Team (SDAT)
• Meet with user groups
• Meet with bike garden champions
• Reach out to art teacher to explore opportunities for student art

Please feel free to reach out to Anjali Grant, Principal Architect and Project Manager, with any questions.

Feedback

The architect is currently soliciting feedback from the community on the following questions. Please contact Anjali Grant with questions or feedback.

1. What messages of welcome to new preschool families could we include in the preschool addition?
2. What do you want the design team to know?
3. What do you want the design team to consider or think about?

Contacts

• Vince Gonzales, Senior Project Manager, SPS Capital and Planning
• Matisia Hollingsworth, Project Manager, SPS Capital and Planning
• Deborah Northern, Manager of Equity and Engagement for Capital Projects
• Anjali Grant, Principal, Project Manager/Project Architect, Anjali Grant Design
• Caroline Mai, Architectural Staff, Anjali Grant Design
• Mike McCanna, Senior Project Manager, Absher Construction
• Garrett Tapia, Project Manager, Absher Construction