Alameda, Calif., October 29, 2024 –  AUSD staff, students and community members gathered last week to celebrate the start of construction of several projects across the district. Made possible due to funding from Bond Measure B and designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), these include the modernization of Wood Middle School, as well as projects at Alameda High School and Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School.

 

The Wood project will provide a new two-story classroom building, administration and library building, and gymnasium. The decision to replace most buildings also allowed for thoughtful reorientation of the campus and the addition of a new access road and parking lot. During multiple design meetings with families and staff, drop off and pick-up safety concerns were addressed in the new design, as was the need for new outdoor learning and socialization spaces. The project is being built by Lathrop Construction Associates (Lathrop) and is expected to complete summer 2026.

 

“We want to thank the community for its support of Measure B, which is really a show of support for the youth of Alameda and their future,” said AUSD Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi. “These new facilities will provide a myriad of improved educational, arts and recreational opportunities for our students and residents. Multiple studies have shown that the spaces kids learn in are an integral part of the instructional experience and that having clean, functional spaces with natural light contributes to students' achievement, well-being and connectivity. We’re grateful to QKA and our contractor partners for working in collaboration with our incredible facilities and site teams throughout this process.”

 

Also featured at the ceremony are the current projects at Alameda High School's high school and Kofman Auditorium. Available for use by AUSD students and the City of Alameda, the Alameda High School Swim Center project includes a new 12-lane by 30-meter competition pool for swim and water polo, a four-lane practice pool, new pool deck with lighting and new fencing. The existing tennis courts are also being reconfigured to allow for the second pool to be built. Work on the Kofman Auditorium includes replacement production lighting and new controls, an improved audio-visual (AV) system, new backstage dressing rooms and a new proscenium curtain, as well as several safety upgrades to the building. Lathrop is general contractor for the Swim Center and Alten Construction is building the Kofman Auditorium project.

 

Wrapping up the current wave of Measure B projects is a multi-sport stadium at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School being built by Bothman Construction. Accommodating soccer, football, and track and field events, the stadium will include new bleachers complete with an announcers’ box, a new stadium lighting system, landscaping and site work. Work at Alameda High School and Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School is slated for completion by fall 2025.

 

“We are thrilled to have this first wave of projects get underway and excited about the positive impact each will have for district stakeholders," said Joel Williams, studio leader at QKA. "In particular, Measure B includes several significant campus modernization projects for elementary and middle schools, which will revitalize those campuses and ensure that students and staff have beautiful and inspiring learning environments for many years to come.”

 

Also being designed by QKA and built by Lathrop, the next Measure B project on the docket for AUSD is the modernization of Otis Elementary School. This will include a new administration and library building, and two-story classroom building, as well as renovated sitework providing an academic quad and age-specific outdoor play areas. Groundbreaking is expected Summer 2026.

 

"This Wood campus – and our other bond projects – would not be possible without the support of the Alameda community, who approved Measure B in 2022," said Board President Jennifer Williams. "We are deeply grateful to the community for that support in modernizing and beautifying our town’s public schools."