Recent News Board of Education Standards Based Education Construction Updates

Transportation, Maintenance and Nutrition Services

Originally built:		1964 & 1967
Construction Status:		Transportation: Move-In Feb. 18 Nutrition Services: Site Work
Address:		South 332nd Street near Celebration Park
Budget:		$45 million ($15 million each)

 

As the district grows, some of its current facilities have reached their capacity to provide essential functions. Rebuilding and relocating the district’s transportation, maintenance and nutrition services facilities will allow all three to operate more efficiently.

The current bus yard and maintenance complex was built in 1960, before there was much traffic on South 320th Street. Today, the intersection of Pacific Highway South and South 320th Street is among the busiest in the state.

The city plans to put a road right through where the old bus yard sits, connecting 13th Avenue south. If voters had decided to keep that property, the district would be required by the city to develop the road right through the middle of it.

It was essential that the new bus yard/barn be moved and that the new site be centrally located and easily accessible from more than one side. The district found and purchased property near Celebration Park that meets the criteria. Access in and out of the site will be vastly improved for the approximately 150 school busses that come and go from the bus yard each day. With drive-through bays, mechanics will be able to perform maintenance on the busses more efficiently and comfortably. There will even be an environmentally friendly, water-recycling bus wash.

The current central kitchen building, one of the oldest facilities in the district, is now operating at maximum capacity. Although staff maintains their equipment, they have difficulty finding parts for antiquated heating, ventilation, boilers and refrigeration systems. Most of the ovens, kettles and washing equipment are 25 to 45 years old. The facility is limited for expansion due to its proximity to Federal Way High School. The new building where these services will be located will also provide the district with space for other support services as the district grows and changes.

Transportation and maintenance facilities will be located on the south side of 332nd and will be built first - in 2011. Construction of the central kitchen will follow in 2013.

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