Booker High School

Budget: $48,900,000

Client: Sarasota County School Board

Jon F. Swift, Inc. is working in association with Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. to provide construction management services for the School Board of Sarasota County to construct a new high school campus in the middle of the existing campus of Booker High School over a three year period, finishing up in late 2013. The campus has remained open and operational throughout the entire phased construction process.

Prior to demolishing the existing buildings, portable farms had to be set up for displaced students during construction. This was done in two phases and included a media center, a dining area, several science classrooms, along with 30 classroom portables and restrooms. Prior to beginning construction Orange Avenue had to be re-routed during a school holiday period. The project includes five buildings: the cafeteria/kitchen, administrative building, a two-story classroom building, the performing arts building and a custodial receiving building. Four existing buildings on campus were renovated as part of the project, including the gymnasium, the theater and locker rooms, as well as the media center. Site work consists of new baseball and softball fields, new tennis courts and a new football practice field. There are new parking lots, parent drop-off and pick-up area and a new bus loop included in the project. All new underground utilities and storm water systems are also an important part of this ambitious school re-build.