White Salmon - Scott / Edwards Architecture and Bainbridge Design Inc., both of Portland, Ore., have announced the award of an architectural, interiors and space planning contract to design the new West Klickitat County Pioneer Center here.

The two-story, 24,000-sq.-ft. building will be designed and built in two phases. The first phase, a 16,000-sq.-ft. facility, is programmed for a county services information office; senior services; community and environmental health departments; and a community multi-purpose space including kitchen facilities to serve 100 people. As a result of this new project, the senior services staff will now be able to better serve the west county residents.

The estimated $3 million project is targeted to break ground in the spring of 2004 with completion by the end of that year. The construction contract has not yet been awarded.

Previously, in the summer of 2002, the same design team was retained to complete the master plan and feasibility study for this anticipated project. Services included a space study analysis, site evaluations and recommendations, master plan concepts for multiple sites, phased development and project budgeting. After Klickitat County completed a competitive proposal and interview selection process, Scott / Edwards Architecture and Bainbridge Design Inc. were awarded the project.

ECC Tapped to Train Construction Workers

Edmonds - Sound Transit recently awarded Edmonds Community College $28,600 to help train more workers for entry-level jobs in construction, the building trades and apprenticeship programs.

The college's construction industry training program has become increasingly popular due both to high unemployment and employer need in Snohomish County. It was previously funded only for a limited number of welfare recipients and low-income working parents through WorkFirst, the state's welfare reform program.

The grant will enable the college to enroll an additional 20 students in the program next year by helping to pay the salaries for two instructors and a job developer. Sound Transit awarded several grants totaling about $200,000 this spring to increase training and apprenticeship opportunities in the construction industry and to ensure a skilled and diverse workforce for its current and future projects.

Students in Edmonds Community College's program receive practical hands-on experience in the basics of carpentry, blueprint reading, electrical, plumbing, concrete work and hazardous materials safety. Students also receive certification training in forklift, CPR, flagging and power-activated tools.

Tukwila - The Washington Cities Insurance Authority has selected The Driftmier Architects of Redmond, Wash., for design services on a recently purchased office building at 320 Andover Park East here. The Insurance Authority, which serves the needs of 105 municipalities around the state of Washington, purchased the 26,000-sq.-ft., two-story office building to function both as its headquarters and for lease purposes.

After conducting a needs analysis and programming process, Driftmier's staff will design upgrades to the 1970s-era concrete and wood frame building. These will include the addition of an elevator; reconfiguration and modernization of lobbies, common areas, lighting and HVAC; ceilings, building envelope; parking and landscaping.

The design will also include the tenant improvements of approximately 8,000 sq. ft. for offices and a training center for the Insurance Authority. The rest of the building will be leased to current and new tenants.

New Port Building Completes Next Month

Bingen - Completion of a new 25,000-sq.-ft. building here for the Port of Klickitat is expected next month. Team Construction of Vancouver, Wash., is the project's general contractor.

The building will be the new home for an existing tenant for Klickitat County Port District #1. The new structure is a metal building with concrete tilt-up exterior and concrete slab-on-grade. The new tenant will be using the facility for a mixed use of manufacturing facilities and administrative offices. The design is intended to be flexible for ongoing tenant improvements.

Bellevue - A $17.3 million modernization and expansion program now underway at Sammamish High School will give the arts magnet school a new 450-seat performing theater, entrance lobby and administration wing.

The modernization program also provides for the relocation of the counseling services area and commons, remodeling of the library, and upgrades to the fire alarm and sprinkler system throughout the eight-building school complex. Accessibility will be improved with the installation of wheelchair lifts and accessible doors.

The exterior of the auditorium will be metal siding of different textures of light and dark tones that relate to the polished concrete block surfaces throughout the new building. The 14,700-sq.-ft. theater wing replaces a smaller existing auditorium and includes dressing rooms, scene shop, costume shop, green room and storage for props and other items.

Construction began in early June and is expected to be completed in time for the opening of school this month. Mahlum Architects of Seattle is the design architect and Spee West Construction of Edmonds, Wash., is the project's general contractor.