Forest Hills Project Updates

Summer Update

As we move forward with the Forest Hills Elementary School Replacement project, we want to keep you informed about the current and upcoming activities on site. Below is the latest progress report and schedule for the demolition phase.

Demolition Phase

Contractor Mobilization

Mobilization: The contractor officially mobilized to the site on June 29.

Site Setup & Safety: Work has begun on installing temporary facilities, perimeter security fencing, erosion controls, and tree protection measures. The scheduling of necessary inspections is underway to finalize and pull the demolition permit.

Hazardous Materials Abatement

To ensure the safety of the community and the crew, comprehensive hazardous material abatement is being conducted prior to structural demolition.

Phased Schedule:

Phase 1 (East Side): Installation of containment began on June 29. Abatement will start at the gymnasium and move west toward the administration spaces, with a target completion date of July 14.
Phase 2 (Remaining Building Sections): Work will cover the library and the north and south corridors, with a target completion date of July 31.
Safety Oversight: The School District is strictly monitoring all abatement activities. Our environmental hygienist of record, Apex/PBS Environmental, is on-site daily to inspect containment protocols, oversee safe material disposal, and conduct rigorous testing.

Building & Site Demolition

Utility Disconnection: Prior to the start of demolition, all utility services (water, gas, electricity, and telecommunications) will be fully disconnected and capped to ensure the building is completely safed-off.

Structural Demolition: Demolition is scheduled to begin on July 14, following the completion of Phase 1 abatement.
Progression: Heavy equipment work will start on the far east side of the property (at the gym) and progress west.

Site Clearing: Once the main building is down, the contractor will remove site structures including playgrounds and backstops, as well as trees approved and permitted for removal.

The final step of this phase involves decommissioning and safely removing underground structures, including an abandoned oil tank and stormwater drywells.

Next Steps: Site Handover

Following the successful completion of all demolition and clearing activities, the demolition contractor will hand over the site to the main building General Contractor. This transition is currently scheduled for the week of September 7, marking the start of new building construction.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we build a safe, modern new school for our community.

Project Manager’s Notes:

District staff have successfully coordinated and executed the entire move to the temporary Uplands School campus. All furniture, curriculum, and equipment have been transitioned, ensuring a smooth setup for our teachers, students, admin staff, and facilities team ahead of the new school year.
 
On the permitting front, we achieved a major milestone with the official submission of the full building permit package for the main building on June 3rd.
 
In the field, the demolition contractor officially mobilized on June 29th. Their immediate focus is on installing temporary facilities, erosion control, and tree protection measures so they can request the necessary inspections to obtain the final demolition permit. From there, they will begin hazardous materials abatement in accordance with strict containment and disposal protocols, safely salvage the identified building art and commemorative pieces, and finally proceed to building demolition.
 
Looking ahead, the District continues to move through the competitive bidding window for the main building construction. The general contractors are actively submitting questions, and the design team is currently reviewing those requests for information (RFIs) and substitution requests ahead of the July 14 bid due date.

Project Manager’s Notes:

A major procurement milestone was reached this month. The Invitation to Bid (ITB) was formally advertised on May 27 to the pool of prequalified general contractors. The team is now managing the competitive bidding window, with final Bids due on July 14.

With the contract fully executed for the abatement and demolition package, the District issued a formal Notice to Proceed (NTP) to the demolition contractor on May 21. The current focus is reviewing initial pre-construction submittals and coordinating the kickoff meeting to prepare for field mobilization.

Permit approvals are moving forward on multiple fronts. The city is currently processing the demolition and tree protection permits, and the DEQ 1200-C erosion control permit remains under active review. Additionally, the team has submitted the right-of-way (ROW) permit on May 20, followed by the full building permit package on May 29.

In parallel, planning is underway for summer packing logistics and the upcoming transition to the temporary Uplands campus, timed with the conclusion of the school year in the second week of June.

Spring Update

This summer, construction of the new Forest Hills Elementary School will begin. At the end of the school year, the school will be packed up and contents moved to Uplands Elementary School where Forest Hills will reside during the construction of the new school. Construction will take 2 years to complete with classes starting in the new facility in the fall of 2028.

Farewell to Forest Hills

Before work begins on the new Forest Hills Elementary School, we invite our community to take one last walk through the halls of the current school and celebrate the memories made there over the years. Join us for the Farewell to Forest Hills Community Open House.

Friday, May 29
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Forest Hills Elementary School

Community members, neighbors, current and former families, alumni, and past and present staff are invited to explore the library, gym, classrooms, playgrounds, and other spaces that have been part of generations of learning, friendships, and school traditions.

Project Manager’s Notes:

The Design Team is finalizing the 100% Construction Documents and building permit set, incorporating District feedback received during its review of the draft documents. Procurement efforts are also progressing in parallel. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for general contractor prequalification concluded on April 7, with seven firms submitting proposals; the District has shortlisted four firms to move forward. The main building construction package is targeted for release in the second week of May, aligned with completion of the final Construction Documents.
 
At the same time, the District issued the first bid package for abatement and demolition of the existing building. Bids were received on Tuesday, April 28, with five contractors submitting proposals. The District will evaluate the submissions and proceed with an award to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.
 
The project continues to make progress on permitting. Following the District's receipt of the approved Land Use Findings on March 16 and the completion of the required protest period, the District has submitted the demolition permit and tree protection permit, with the public works permit to follow.
 
As planning transitions toward construction, efforts remain focused on keeping staff and families informed and preparing for the upcoming move. Temporary campus planning and relocation coordination are ongoing, with key activities scheduled over the summer.
 
The latest estimate indicates the project remains over budget. The team is continuing to track costs closely and advance cost reduction measures as the documents are finalized and the project moves into bidding.

Project Manager’s Notes:

The Design Team has completed the 75% Construction Documents, and efforts are now focused on finalizing the first of two construction bid packages. The initial package, limited to abatement and demolition of the existing building, is targeted to go out to bid in early April. In parallel, the District is conducting a pre‑qualification process for general contractors for the second package, which includes full building construction; RFQ responses are due April 7. This second package will be issued for bid in early May, aligning with the completion of the 100% Construction Documents.
 
The project has also reached an important permitting milestone. The District received the approved Land Use Findings on March 16, and following the conclusion of the required protest period, the District will be able to proceed with securing all remaining construction‑related permits.
 
As the project advances toward construction, maintaining strong communication with staff, families, and the community remains a priority. Stakeholder engagement efforts continue to ensure everyone remains informed and prepared for the upcoming transition. Planning is well underway to support a smooth relocation for students and staff, with necessary temporary campus preparations scheduled to occur over the summer.
 
The latest estimate indicates that the project is over budget. Close coordination with the Design Team continues as scope, cost, and constructability are reviewed throughout the final stages of document development and bidding, and a number of cost reduction strategies have been implemented.

Project Manager’s Notes:

The Design Team has completed the 50% Construction Documents for the Forest Hills replacement project, and the District is now reviewing them for conformance and completeness. This includes alignment with program requirements and feedback from key operational stakeholders.
 
Additionally, the project continues through the Land Use Review process, with the team actively responding to City comments to keep approvals moving forward. Meanwhile, the District and school leadership are planning for the future temporary relocation of students and staff during construction. Preparations and any necessary improvements to the temporary campus will take place over the summer in advance of the move.
 
The District remains committed to keeping the design within budget and continues to work closely with the Design Team to monitor scope. Stakeholder engagement continues to be ongoing to ensure the project meets educational, functional, and operational priorities as it advances toward final Construction Documents.

Project Manager’s Notes:

The design team has completed the Design Development phase for the Forest Hills replacement project. The LOSD Bond Team has reviewed the documents and provided comments, including input from the district’s commissioning consultant on MEP systems and controls. The district and design team will continue to engage stakeholders and gather feedback from departments such as Facility Operations, CNS, Student Services, and Safety and Security to ensure alignment with educational and operational priorities.

The project now moves into the Construction Document phase, with the first package scheduled for delivery by the end of January 2026. Meanwhile, the City of Lake Oswego continues its review of the Land Use application, and all requested clarifications have been addressed to keep the permitting process on track. In preparation for the upcoming transition, the district will begin planning for staff relocation over the summer, including packing and logistics. An inventory of commemorative items, such as monuments, plaques, and artwork, is also underway to inform conservation efforts and next steps.

Project Manager’s Notes:

Following the successful completion of the schematic design phase, the design development phase is now approaching its conclusion. The project team is preparing to submit for land use review, which will formally initiate the permitting and approval process. Recent stakeholder engagement has provided valuable input from school staff, parents, neighbors, and city officials, and additional meetings are being planned with parents, teachers, and community members to continue shaping the design. These efforts ensure the Forest Hills replacement building will reflect both educational priorities and community values as the project advances toward construction.

Project Manager’s Notes:

Design for the Forest Hills replacement building is actively underway. A series of stakeholder meetings have been held, bringing together school staff, parents, neighbors, and city officials to share their feedback and expectations. This input is currently being reviewed and incorporated into the evolving design, helping ensure the new school reflects the needs and values of the entire community. As the project moves forward, the team is preparing for the next critical milestone: submitting for land use review, which will formally launch the permitting and approval process.

Project Manager’s Notes:

Forest Hills design is underway. Stakeholder meetings have continued, and feedback is being reviewed