Project Description
The South Salem High School seismic renovation was one of the tougher projects in recent years for Todd Construction, due to the short timeframe and complex scope of work, which saw $26 million poured into reinforcing the building, replacing fixtures and finishing the interior over two consecutive 45-day summer breaks.
Both periods of work took place while crews had to social distance and institute additional safety precautions to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The project was made more complicated by a week of shutdowns in fall 2020 due to poor air quality from wildfire smoke as well as price escalation, labor and material shortages during the summers of 2020 and 2021.
The project was also unique in that two large general contractors worked side-by-side on the campus to bring about the renovations and additions. Todd Construction worked on seismic upgrades in about 300,000 square feet of the existing school and various renovations, while Pence Construction demolished an old middle school and constructed a new classroom wing, theater and CTE spaces.
The seismic upgrades saw the main gym, existing classroom building, boys locker room complex and library receive new shear walls. Additional bracing was placed above new hallway ceilings and lighting.
Todd also built a new, more secure main entry to the school and a three-story stair tower with polished concrete floors. In addition, we updated the office area; reinforced the cafeteria and existing gym; upgraded the science rooms and created a new sports medicine area for student athletes. New fire alarm and communication systems were also installed.
All of the work was made possible by voter-approval of a 2018 bond levy.
