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In an effort to relieve overcrowding at Belmont and Marshall high schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) recently broke ground on Central Los Angeles Area New High School #10. The Clark Construction Group, Inc. of Costa Mesa, Calif. is serving as general contractor on the $85 million project.
“This school is a true testimony of what a united community can accomplish,” said LAUSD School Board Member Jose Huizar, who represents the area. “The coordinated efforts of community members, local elected officials and district staff have finally brought the much-needed high school to the Belmont community.” The district’s enrollment is the second largest in the country, with 16,000 students bused out of their neighborhood because of overcrowding each year.
Construction of the new 72-classroom school involves the re-development of more than 19 acres just west of downtown Los Angeles, creating a new academic and athletic complex in seven buildings, varying in height from two to four stories, as well as a parking structure. Also included are a performing arts auditorium, a food court and a multi-media library. These facilities surround a highly landscaped central courtyard, carefully integrated to create an urban village of learning.
Designed by Johnson Fain of Los Angeles, the 231,000-square-foot complex can accommodate 1,713 students. In order to serve a number of area high schools, the program includes a special emphasis on its sports facilities, including two large gymnasiums, tennis and basketball courts, an Olympic size swimming pool, full-feature stadium for football, soccer and track, as well as baseball and softball fields.
The estimated occupancy date for the project is Summer 2006.
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