Here’s what all that work at former Roxhill Elementary building is for

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Lots of questions this morning about all the activity at the former Roxhill Elementary campus (29th/Roxbury) – it’s certainly eye-catching if you pass by, as we just did on our way to and from an unrelated event. We stopped for a few photos.

(WSB photos)

Back when Seattle Public Schools was drawing up the plan for the BEX V levy, there was talk of rebuilding on this site, since the old Roxhill building is so rundown – but it didn’t make the cut. However, the BEX IV levy passed by voters in 2013 did provide money for seismic (earthquake-safety) improvements here.

According to SPS, the work being done this summer will: “Lower the chimney [height], improve shear wall capacity in classrooms, (and) improve roof-to-wall connections in gymnasium, auditorium, and covered play area.” The chimney was the focus of work when we stopped by.

The contractor is MJ Takisaki, which has a contract for just under half a million dollars; the work is scheduled to be complete before the new school year begins in September. Previous seismic work on the 63-year-old building dates back to 2002, according to SPS. Though the Roxhill Elementary program moved to the former EC Hughes campus three years ago, the old Roxhill is not idle – it is home to programs including special education and part of the alternative high school Interagency.

SIDE NOTE: This is just one of several projects happening at local SPS campuses this summer.

Bradley July 22, 2021 (12:42 pm)

Isn’t this a situation where demoing the whole building makes more sense?

WSB July 22, 2021 (1:19 pm)

Only if you have the eight-digit cost of a replacement.

Concerned July 22, 2021 (2:00 pm)

It seems to me that health concerns have been brought up (and ignored) time and time again – see comments from original story about Roxhill students moving to EC Hughes building linked in this story – if I recall correctly Roxhill families liked the location and were forced to move. Instead they were displaced and 3 marginalized programs are moved in to this supposedly unhealthy building. Bravo sps

David July 23, 2021 (3:23 am)

I attended Roxhill when the 1965 earthquake occured. There was cracking in the west gym wall that connects on the opposite side to the back of the stage. As I remember it was at least an inch and went at least 10 feet.

HP Resident July 23, 2021 (9:14 am)

Interagency — the most vulnerable kids in the most run-down building. Talk about systemic racism.

Concerned July 23, 2021 (12:01 pm)

Well said HP Resident – I couldn’t agree more. The InTandem program (another vulnerable population – and one that is virtually unheard of – even internally) is there too.

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