AHS Capital Improvement Project work features major upgrades to building

This is the second in a series of stories that highlights the work happening in all seven Auburn school buildings during the summer.

From the top of the building to the bottom, indoors and outdoors, Auburn High School is awash in activity this summer.

Multiple capital improvement projects are underway as well as the normal summer cleaning that gets classrooms ready for a new school year.
Driving by Auburn High School, you can’t miss the work going on outside the building as the bus loop asphalt and sidewalks are being replaced. New storm-water catch basins are being constructed. 

The staff parking lot on the north side of the campus is also getting its asphalt replaced. New sidewalks are also being installed and the walkway from the parking lot to Fleming Street is being extended with a new sidewalk.

There’s even more work going on inside the building. New flooring is being installed outside the auditorium, the old floor dates back to 1970 during Auburn High School’s original construction. The auditorium’s foyer will also get new ceilings and lighting. The toilets in the men’s room will be replaced.

In the mirror room, below the gymnasium, ducts are being cleaned.
 

The biggest part of the capital improvement project at Auburn High School is the installation of new air handling units in the north and south penthouses, auditorium fan room and gymnasium mechanical room. Air handling units are a major part of the building's central air conditioning system. The units collect outside air and room air, cleans the collected air, adjusts temperature and humidity and puts out air-conditioned air throughout the building.

These air handling units are massive, weighing hundreds of pounds. Cranes were brought in to lift them onto the top of the building and remove the old ones. Duct, wiring, pipe and electrical work also has to be done to be able to get the new air handling units running.

Auburn High School’s library is also getting a makeover with a new floor, and the walls will be painted.

As part of normal summer maintenance, like all Auburn schools, custodians are cleaning classrooms which includes stripping and waxing floors, shampooing carpets and rugs and removing dust and grime from walls and windows.

After this work is finished, custodians will ensure the building is set up for normal operations for the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 3.