Union School District

Location: Union, Oregon

Year Constructed: Union High School: 1911; Gymnasium, 1950; J.F. Hutchinson Elementary School: 1935; S.E. Miller Elementary School, 1957

Work Completed: 2022

Nominator: Wenaha Group

Project Budget: $12.3M

DeMuro Award Recognizes: Oregon Heritage, Reuse, Creative Seismic Upgrade, Accessibility, Sustainability

 

History: Built in 1911, Union High School is an American Renaissance building that is a primary contributing building to the Union Main Street National Historic District. In November 2019, the Union community passed a bond to improve safety, efficiency, and accessibility in school facilities. The project budget was shared between Union High School and three other buildings not included in the historic district designation: the Gymnasium (1950), J.F. Hutchinson Elementary (1935), and S.E. Miller Elementary (1957).  

 

Overview: This project is an excellent example of preservation by the public sector. From the outset, the Union community, its Board of Directors, and its administrative leadership were committed to extending the life of their existing historic school buildings. Some of their commitment was pragmatic and budget-driven, but the district also viewed itself as the steward of buildings created by previous generations and intrinsically recognized that the buildings and their history held a special place in the heart of the community. Given the age of the buildings, the magnitude of deferred maintenance, and the limited budget, the District had to make tough choices to prioritize project scope. Special attention was paid to addressing ADA accessibility, creating a community gathering space, executing creative seismic upgrades, and prioritizing energy efficiency.

 

Congratulations to the entire project team:

Union School District

Wenaha Group

BLRB Architects

Walker Structural Engineering

Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company

Helix Energy Partners

Connetix

Anderson Perry

James Challis Construction

Rodan and Son

Cross L Welding

CRF Metal Works

Wilson Cabinets

4 Seasons Insulation

Carpet One

Brooks Painting

Air Fuzion

All Phase Electric

Alpine Alarm

Damschen Drywall

Steve Lindley Contracting

Houk Masonry

Gillespie Roofing

Wellens General Contractors

Eagle Cap Construction

Creative Signs

Deadman Plasma

Alden Plumbing

Central Washington Asphalt

Alpine Abatement

Insulation Contractors

Central Oregon Waterproofing

Golden Contractor Services

D&A Door

Central Oregon Garage Door

Brandsen Floors

WH Cress

TK Elevator

Stephens Heating

Western Protective Coatings

Kelly Lumber

Miller's Lumber Supply

Amos Construction

 

Photos by: Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company