In September 2024, the Renton School District announced progress on our voter-approved construction project. The press release from the architecture firm INTEGRUS said, “Since June 2023, we’ve been busy in the preparation phase required before actual construction can begin, including student and staff focus groups and workshops, cost estimates, permitting coordination and land use document submission, pre-design and programming process and analysis, and more.”
The confirmed changes are as follows: the library is receiving new sets of furniture and will be adding what has been referred to as “Study Rooms.” The gym is receiving a set of two “1600 capacity bleachers,” the top floor gym is being repainted, and new basketball hoops are being purchased. A more notable change is the commons, with more benches and tables being added outside the entrance.
Hazen’s principal, Mr. Cooper, has been sitting in on the meetings with architects. He said, “We’re going to get some additional portables that are temporary ones. Over by the pool parking area as well.”
Currently, this has been considered a controversial decision, being that both students and staff have already spoken about the lack of parking spaces, and with more being removed, this is likely to cause more concerns.
A common concern that the staff and students have is the parking situation with spaces already filled up. Mr. Cooper addressed this too, So, we will be moving groups of teachers based on different areas where they want to do the construction in kind of sequences around the building”.
Many new things are coming to Hazen, considering that the style of bricks and gray architecture our school has held for many decades is being updated by embracing a more industrial design.
This marks the third time Hazen has had any significant changes since the renovation of the auditorium in the 90s and continues to cause questions on what changes are planned and how they will affect student life during the planned construction process from summer 2025 to fall 2028.
