Alhambra : High School Renovations

Alhambra school officials are planning an estimated $46-million renovation of two overcrowded high schools.

Supt. Heber J. Meeks said he expects the state to give the go-ahead this week for the district to seek bids on more than $25 million in improvements at San Gabriel High School. The state has already approved $21 million of construction at Alhambra High School, he said. All the money will come from state funds.

Meeks said the district plans to replace dozens of portable classrooms at the two sites with new buildings. About 3,300 students attend Alhambra High, built for 1,800 to 2,000 students, he said. Overcrowding also exists at 3,300-student San Gabriel High.

Under plans approved by the state, San Gabriel High, 801 Ramona St., will get a new library, a gymnasium, a two-story cafeteria, a two-story music and drama building, a two-story building with 12 science laboratories and eight classrooms, plus a remodeled administration building.

Renovations approved at Alhambra High School, 101 S. 2nd Ave., will include a three-story academic building with a library and 57 classrooms, an underground student parking lot and another parking lot on Commonwealth Avenue.

Meeks said students at Alhambra High will use portable classrooms on the two-acre site while the new building is under construction. Construction at both schools is expected to begin in September and take two years.

The renovation will not be affected by the transfer of San Gabriel students back to that city’s district once San Gabriel opens a high school in the 1994-95 school year, Meeks said.