Mission, Texas- The major renovation project planned for Mission High School (MHS) as a part of the 2008 bond issue approved by voters took a major step forward this month. The Board of Trustees approved the final documents for Phase III of renovations and construction at the campus. This is the largest of the projects to be undertaken as a part of the 2008 bond issue. With the approval of the final documents, the bidding process for prospective contractors immediately began.
Even though the main portion of the MHS renovation project has seen some delays, two phases of work have been completed at the campus. These phases included: re-roofing of buildings, new HVAC work, lighting upgrades throughout the campus, new ceilings, drainage improvements, electrical wiring for increasing technology needs, and much needed work for improved handicapped accessibility throughout the school.
“There is excitement in our community for this state of the art project to kick off,” said Dr. Ricardo López, superintendent. “It’s a complex project and we wanted to ensure the scope of work would meet the needs of teachers and students. In doing so, I believe the community will be proud of the final project. The building is stunning. It was important that we try to meet as many needs a possible, and provide an instructional environment that will meet the needs of students and Mission CISD for decades to come.”
This third and final phase of the project has already begun to dramatically change and improve MHS. This past summer, crews demolished a classroom building, the original library building (recently used as the Eagle Cafe), and the cafeteria. This was done while students were away for the summer to allow for a quicker demolition process, and to avoid noise and safety issues associated with the demolition. It would also allow for a quicker start up of construction once the project was ready to proceed.
The third phase of renovation and construction will provide a new, two-story instructional building, new cafeteria, new Ag building (similar to Veterans Memorial High School), renovations and expansion of the band building into a fine arts building, renovations and re-configuring of buildings “A”, “M”, “N”, and new visitors parking and entrance area for the school. Part of the building “N” renovation will include facilities needed for an expanding JROTC program. Work for the fine arts building will include adequate spaces for band hall, practice rooms, dance, mariachi room, orchestra room, choir room, piano room, and art classrooms. The new instructional building will include 35 classrooms and 3 student lab spaces.
The current construction budget for the MHS renovations and construction project is $22.3 million.
López said the district hopes to have the project substantially complete in late summer/early fall of 2017.
Pictured is the architectural rendering of the front of MHS after the renovations and construction project is completed. The rendering was provided by PBK Architects.
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