January 2025 Photo: The interior of new Tyee library space features floor to ceiling windows looking northwest across the courtyard. The commons/cafeteria building is visible on the left and the classroom wing (in red brick) on the right.
Construction Progress
Crews continue to make progress constructing the new Tyee High School. In December and January, more finishing details were added inside and out. The project is on schedule to open for school in September and is within budget.
Check out the latest photos and see how the large glass panels facing the courtyard will bring natural light into the commons and the library, creating bright spaces for students.
Construction Zone Map
The construction zones referred to in the construction progress report correspond to these general building spaces on the map:
- Areas A1 and A2 together are the L-shaped classroom wing.
- Area B includes locker rooms, student store, marketing and health sciences classrooms, fitness center, auxiliary gym and activities rooms, plus an extra wide learning stair that connects the first and second floors.
- Gym is the main gym.
- Area C1 is the flexible performance space.
- Area C2 is the commons/dining area, food services, plus arts and career & technical education classrooms.
- Area D contains administrative offices and the library.
January construction activities included:
- Continuing to cover the exterior sitewide with brick veneer.
- Installing the roofing system on Building B (see construction map below).
- Installing the exterior metal panels surrounding the windows on the north side of the school.
- Adding electrical connections, insulation and drywall in Areas C2, A, D.
- Continuing to install exterior and interior glass sitewide.
- Adding hallway wall paneling, ceiling grids, and cabinets in classrooms.
- Extensive frontage and rockery work along South 188th Street, on the south side of Chinook Middle School, to add right-of-way space for future bicycle path and underground utilities. This is a permit requirement by the City of SeaTac.
- Connecting and covering the geothermal loop system (240 wells that each descend 350 feet below the field). Bringing the piping toward the building where it will eventually connect to an electric pump with supply and return pipes, to heat or cool the new building.
January 2025 Photos: These two photos show site work happening on the athletic field behind the school, where geothermal wells are complete, and the black pipes (lower left) await their connection to an electric heat pump system.
Next Steps
Upcoming work includes:
- Continuing to install final floor, wall and ceiling finish treatments and cabinetry in all buildings.
- Finish wrapping the exterior in brick or metal.
- Completing the frontage work on South 188th Street.
- Installing kitchen and HVAC equipment.
- Once work on the geothermal loop is completed, then a new synthetic turf field and track will be installed in the same location as the former athletic field.
January 2025 Photo: The tall windows in the commons/cafeteria area face east and overlook the courtyard. A learning stair, with large steps for sitting (on the right) and regular stairs (on the left) connects the first level of the commons to the second floor.
Photos
Recent site photos show exciting progress at the new Tyee. Take a virtual tour of our interior and exterior construction photos to see progress on classrooms, hallways, gyms and the flexible performing arts space.