Alameda, Calif., October 29, 2024 – Last week, representatives from the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD), project team, staff, students and community members gathered 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 largest of the Measure B projects now underway is a significant new construction and modernization project at Wood Middle School, which will result in a near complete campus replacement. Encompassing 48,000 sq.ft. of new construction and 14,000 sq.ft. of modernization, the project includes 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 with more than 70 off-street spaces. During multiple design meetings with families and staff, drop off and pick-up safety concerns were addressed in the new design, creating more space for the queueing of vehicles. Further, new outdoor learning and socialization spaces were included, which will be open for community use outside of school hours. 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 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, resulting in projects that truly reflect the desires of their end users.”

At Alameda High School, significant upgrades are being made to the aquatics facilities 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 honored to be a trusted design partner of Alameda Unified School District for the realization of the Measure B projects,” said Joel Williams, studio leader at QKA. “We are thrilled to have this first wave of projects get underway and excited about the positive impact each will have for district stakeholders. 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 Frank 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. 

About Alameda Unified School District

Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) serves about 9500 students in Alameda, California, an island community in the San Francisco Bay Area. The district is committed to upholding the community’s core values of equity and excellence for every student by providing inclusive and safe conditions for learning that challenge and support every student to be culturally competent and prepared for college, career, and community participation. For more information, please visit the AUSD website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Questions? Contact Susan Davis, Senior Manager, Community Affairs, at sdavis@alamedaunified.org.

About Quattrocchi Kwok Architects

QKA provides comprehensive master planning and design services for K-12 and higher education, historic renovation, and community facilities in Northern California. With more than $2.5 billion in projects completed in its 38-year history, QKA’s award-winning portfolio reflects a commitment to design that emphasizes environmental sustainability and community impact. Building Design + Construction has recognized QKA as one of the nation’s top K-12 and BIM (building information modeling) architecture firms. Engineering News-Record has called it one of America’s top design firms. Majority employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), visit qka.com to learn more.

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