Kennewick School District’s first phase of the new Amistad

Elementary expansion project is a 43,500-square-foot building.

The new addition features 22 classrooms, plus a gym and

offices, at 930 W. Fourth Ave., near the district’s Administration Center.

Students in grades 3 to 5 will occupy the building when

school starts Aug. 27.

The $18 million first phase addition is funded by a K-3

class size reduction grant from the state, awarded in 2016.

In the second phase that is currently underway, the original

school building, which dates to 1992, will be replaced with a new 20-classroom

building that connects to the first phase addition. Students in grades K-2 will

occupy the second phase building when it is completed in August 2020. The

second phase is part of the 2019 bond that voters passed in February and is

being built by general contractor Chervenell Construction of Kennewick.

Amistad’s total classroom count will be 42 when both phases

are done.

Kennewick is the largest school district in southeastern

Washington, with nearly 19,000 students.

Bouten Construction of Richland was the general contractor

for phase one, with Bob Byrd on site as the superintendent. Alliance Management

& Construction Solutions provided construction management, with Earl

Eastman as the owner’s representative.

ALSC Architects of Spokane was the architect. Ken Murphy was

the principal-in-charge/design principal, with Steve Walther was the managing

principal.