Building Trades News

Completion of Vista Hermosa High School Scheduled for Fall of 2008

Mehula: $131 Million Project Symbolizes LAUSD Turn Around click to enlarge After almost ten years of delays, the construction of the $131 million Vista Hermosa High School is halfway complete and is on schedule of it September 2008 completion date. The project, formerly known as Belmont High School, has been plagued by numerous environment and seismic problems, and just plain old bad luck, that many thought would kill project entirely. But through the determination of the school board in 2004, the project was given a new lease on life. The project is now in the hands of the skilled men and women of our craft unions who will be completed the project over the next year and a half. When completed the project help to relieve the overcrowded class rooms of the School District. “We had to do something with that property, and the kids need a school. We have 35 acres sitting idle in one of our most overcrowded areas for schools.” said Jose Huizar, in 2004. At the time Huizar was school board member who represented the area; he is currently a member of the LA City Council Due to seismic concerns the project has been scaled down from its original plans. The project will serve 2600 students and consist of 66 classrooms, including 14 specialized classrooms, 12 special education classrooms, 1 flexible room, 16 science labs, an auditorium, library and cafeteria. The District has partnered with a state agency, the Mountain Recreation & Conservation Authority, and the freed-up space is being developed into badly needed park 12 acre park—the only park space in Downtown Los Angeles. Guy Mehula, Chief Facilities Executive for the Los Angeles Unified School District described the Vista Hermosa as “our albatross from the past.” It highlights what we’ve changed at LAUSD,” he said. “It’s a whole symbol of how we’ve turned things around.” While much has been written about the problems that have plagued the project over the years, little mention has been made over what has gone right. When asked what some of the highlights of the project were Mehula responded,  “We have a great design and a great contractor on the project. It’s ahead of schedule and the team is working very well. The contractors, subcontractors, the workforce and our own internal staff—the way the whole team has worked together—has been one of the great highlights and successes of the project.” According LAUSD, he project is approximately 50% complete, despite having to deal with an existing building and a mitigation system. Exteriors are nearing completion on the existing buildings.  The major feature remaining is the windows, which are underway. Interiors are well underway and the utilities are nearing completion. The floors are being leveled to receive tile and other finishes. The wall and ceiling framing is complete and the insulation and drywall surfaces are underway. Structural steel framing is near complete on the new building construction; the roof framing and decking are well underway, as is interior framing. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing is approximately 50% complete. The Park and Soccer field is currently under construction by MRCA with the major earthwork complete. Retaining walls and hardscape features are underway. The methane mitigation system is nearly completed. Major work remaining is around the new Admin/Classroom Building, and the system mechanical elements and controls.

 

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