Check out the plans for the new Portola site, courtesy of Hibser 
Yamauchi, Architects, Inc.
Go Portola!
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The plans are impressive. I will ask the principal, Mr. Burnham, what classes will be offered in the building labeled “Career Tech” and about how the two separate play yards will be used. Does anyone have any other questions about the plans for the new site?
Mr. Burnham said that the wood shop will be where the plans are labeled “Career Tech”, and that the two yards are to provide separation during the two lunch periods.
Update on the new building at the Castro site: We called Bill Savage, District Engineer, on June 8th and asked about the status of the new campus. The District is hoping to open Portola in Fall 2014. The District is offering a financial incentive to the contractor for finishing early. Under the worst case scenario, the school will not open until Fall 2015. If the site is not ready until Winter Break of 2014, the District will move the student body mid year. If you would like to reach Bill Savage: 510/307-4544.
And, an update from Marcus Hibser, architect for the new Portola site, at the August 3rd community meeting: Permits for the new Portola site should be finalized by October or November 2011 with construction beginning early in 2012. There is no update on the pending litigation, though Mr. Hibser believes it may have been resolved. In any event, the lawsuit has not delayed construction of the new school. Mr. Hibser said he would be happy to answer any questions we might have in the future.
Update on the new campus (from Marcus Hibser): we should have the building permit by the middle of February. Then the project will go out to bid to a general contractor. That process takes 6-8 weeks (including time for the Board to ratify the bid results and make the formal award). That would put the contractor on site in April sometime. I think we’re looking at 24-28 months of construction. If things go well we should be in the buildings for the 14-15 school year.
Though the school district has said that the pending lawsuit has not significantly impacted the timeline for construction of the new Portola site, this morning’s Patch article suggests that the end of the lawsuit will allow the process to move forward at a faster pace. http://elcerrito.patch.com/articles/appeal-court-upholds-portola-move-to-castro-school-site?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001
dont do new school i like it as it is