Gunn entered the final phase of the Village construction project during spring break, beginning with the removal of portables for a new student plaza and an enhanced bike lane.
According to PAUSD Facilities and Construction Director Eric Holm, the new plaza, featuring benches and shade structures, will serve as an entrance to Titan Gym and a space where students can easily gather for lunch and other events.
“While the main lunch area is over by the new food service, we know the students go all over campus and find their little nooks and crannies to hang out with their small group of friends,” he said. “This would be another area with benches where they can find some shade and hang out during lunch.”
Principal Dr. Wendy Stratton notes receiving input from English teachers Diane Ichikawa and Jordan Wells to incorporate concepts such as a Zen garden, a mindfulness labyrinth and Greek mythology in the new structures. To integrate these ideas, Stratton worked closely with PAUSD Senior Construction Manager Mohammed Sedqi when planning the project.
“The whole process of imagining (the possibilities for) that space that would serve our community and bring a certain energy to it (was cool),” she said. “The shade structure is a very (sunny) area and there is a really beautiful tree out there, but I was like, ‘How can we work around that tree to make it beautiful, promote belonging and allow teachers (to teach) an outdoor class by having some (outlets) in some of the structures?’”
Next to the plaza, improvements to the bike lane will focus on student safety. Holm highlights that this part of the construction project will involve creating a smoother transition from the off-campus bike path to the on- campus lane.
“We’ll be able to strengthen the connection (between) the bike lane (and) the bike path,” he said. “(The bike path) comes all the way from Bol Park, and (the plan is to) run (the lane) along as a protected bike lane, separate from the traffic and get you into campus if you come via bike, because a lot of the community comes that way.”
The remaining space will be used as an additional bike parking area. These new features will not only provide extra room, but also increase protection for students.
“We always are trying to find ways to make it easier to bike, and having a place to park your bike is a big part of that,” he said. “Ultimately, the next phase (of) the enhanced bike lane (will) improve student safety.”
Assistant Principal of Facilities Dr. Mycal Hixon says this project requires increased communication between the construction team and school faculty to provide the most benefit for everyone on campus.
“This is a positive move in the right direction for our school,” he said. “We have to make sure that we’re supporting students and staff as well, (and that we’re) coordinating with our teachers and our students and our staff in terms of how we can help support that need now that (the village is) gone.”
According to Holm, with the completion of A-, B- and K-buildings, the decade-long construction projects on the temporary portables will end when the construction of the additional features finishes. The remaining portables are projected to be transported and repurposed at the district office in the summer.
