Efficient design wins $250,000 for Marysville school

Published 9:00 pm Monday, August 14, 2006

MARYSVILLE – A soon-to-be-built elementary school in Marysville has qualified for an extra $250,000 from the state because of its environmentally friendly design.

The state awards construction cash to projects that are built to last, are energy efficient and make wise use of resources.

It’s all part of a push to make schools more sustainable. New schools will have to last 30 years before they are eligible for state money to remodel – 10 years longer than existing schools.

“In the near future, the state will require schools be built to new standards,” said John Bingham, the Marysville School District’s capital projects director. “We decided to build it to these standards now because it was the right thing to do.”

The $18 million, two-story school will be built on the southwest corner of 67th Avenue and Grove Street. The site is in one of the district’s fastest-growing areas and has room for expansion.

Design work is being completed and bids are expected early next year. The school could open as early as fall 2008.

The design calls for heavy use of well-insulated translucent materials similar to glass, which will allow more natural light into the school.

“We’ll be getting the benefit of the additional lighting without sacrificing the energy use normally associated with lots of glass,” Bingham said.

The design also includes a durable fiber cement siding that resembles wood.

The site will take advantage of existing parking spots and will keep play fields that are now part of the property.

The school district also will receive design money from the Snohomish County PUD.

The more efficient the design is in saving electricity, the more money the school will receive for design costs.

The school will qualify for between $11,000 and $75,000 from the PUD, Bingham said.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.