Tyee Builds a Good Foundation

---

Progress Report: New Tyee High School

A lot of care is being poured into preparing strong foundations below the new Tyee High School in SeaTac. 

Crews completed digging for the footings and poured the concrete in early December at the new gym. (This is Area B on the construction zone map below.)

While excavating for footings, anticipated structurally unsuitable soils were encountered in Area A. These soils were excavated and replaced with imported structural fill. Foundations were formed and rebar installed in preparation for placing concrete in late December for Area A. 

Construction crews will pour the slab-on-grade concrete floor for Area C in early January. This is where the performing arts, kitchen and commons/cafeteria spaces will be. In preparation for pouring the floor slabs, the construction crew constructed the footings and stem walls, and began installing the underground electrical and plumbing systems.

A commissioning kick-off meeting for the new Tyee High School project was held in early December. Commissioning is an ongoing process to ensure all systems and components of a building are installed, tested and operating properly before the building is turned over to maintenance staff. The commissioning agent will help train maintenance staff and contractors to ensure the building systems are operating and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

Puget Sound Energy removed an existing transformer in early December and installed the temporary power.

Salvaged Beams Cleaned, Waiting for Second Life

Old paint has been removed from the large, salvaged glu-lam beams. These wood beams will be planed and sanded to reuse in the ceiling and roof deck of the new library.

Community Workforce Agreement

Last summer, Highline Public Schools entered into a Community Workforce Agreement (CWA) with the local trade unions for the Tyee High School replacement project. With support from King County, this agreement places a focus on local priority hire programs to build a more representative and reflective workforce on the Tyee High School project. King County Labor Equity Program staff are helping verify workers on site for Absher Construction and that their subcontractors are being successful with outreach, subcontracting, hiring, engaging apprentices and record-keeping.

For more information about Absher Construction’s priority hire opportunities, please contact Stephanie Caldwell, Absher’s director of diversity, equity and community engagement.

What’s Next?

Additional work to prepare the subgrade and foundations and to pour the slab-on-grade concrete for the rest of the building areas will continue in the new year.

You can expect to see structures begin to rise early in 2024.

Schedule & Budget Status

The Tyee High School replacement project is on schedule and within budget.

We expect the new school to be ready for occupancy in August 2025. 

New Tyee Buildings & Locations Key

The major building zones referred to in this progress report were developed by the contractor to phase the construction. These areas are A, B, C and D. These four building areas are fully connected and will surround a courtyard.

• Area A (northeast) - Classrooms 
• Area B (northwest) - Main gym, auxiliary gym and locker rooms
• Area C (southwest) - Performing arts, career/technical education, kitchen and commons/cafeteria space
• Area D (southeast) - Main office and library

Areas A and D face east, toward the Valley Ridge playfields. Areas C and D face South 188th Street to the south. Chinook Middle School is west of Areas B and C.

---

Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Check out the demolition photos, the site plan and the architectural renderings on our Tyee project website.