The Lynwood Unified Board of Education has selected construction management company Huckabee to undertake the Lynwood High School reconstruction project, which will provide LHS students with modernized learning facilities, resources and enhanced academic experiences when the Imperial campus reopens in 2027.
The unanimous decision, made during the March 23 Board meeting, follows an in-depth selection process that began in January when representatives from 24 construction management companies toured the Imperial campus for a debriefing on the 2020 collapse of a three-story classroom building due to major structural failures.
“While I’m proud that we have continued to provide our students with high-quality educational opportunities under challenging circumstances, the damage done to the LHS community was catastrophic and created a domino effect across the District,” Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D. said. “By selecting Huckabee, our Board has taken a critical step in helping to make Lynwood whole again and returning our Lynwood Knights to a school they deserve.”
SIMPLAR, an independent consulting firm facilitating the selection process, scored all 12 firms that submitted proposals and selected four finalists for interviews. Huckabee will coordinate with architects, engineers and other professionals to ensure the project adheres to all state and District standards, including safety, budget and quality.
The project has received support from state legislators, who in July 2022 designated a historic $250 million for the reconstruction effort. The state-issued funds were strictly allocated to the LHS Reconstruction Project and cannot be used for other District projects.
The Lynwood High School Reconstruction Project will include:
- Demolishing and rebuilding Building G and reconfiguring the sports fields that run parallel to it.
- Building a new, three-story structure, approximately 175,000 square feet, consisting of roughly 70 classrooms, including a culinary arts center and science, technology, engineering and math labs.
Demolition is expected to begin June 15, 2023. Prior to construction, the area will receive infrastructure upgrades, including soil, pipeline, fire and sewage rerouting.
Students – who were relocated to a retrofitted campus on Bullis Road in fall 2021 – are estimated to return to the LHS Imperial campus in fall 2027.
“Lynwood Unified is committed to delivering on our promise to use these funds wisely and ensuring the safety, academic and emotional needs of students are met throughout this project and beyond,” Crosthwaite said. “Our school community is strong, resilient and dedicated to providing all students equal opportunities and access to the resources they need to succeed.”
To view project details, current renderings and other materials for the Lynwood High School Reconstruction Project, please visit https://bit.ly/LHSReconstructionUpdates.