On Saturday, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) marked a turning point in Richmond High School’s future by holding a groundbreaking ceremony for its much-anticipated modernization project.
With the Richmond High School band and cheerleaders bringing the energy, local leaders, students, and community members gathered to celebrate the kick off of a project to renew the campus into a modern facility.
Phase 1 will see construction of a two-story, 60,000-square-foot classroom building along 23rd Street. The building will house 23 classrooms, six specialized learning spaces (including a music wing and dedicated Health and Law academy spaces), collaboration areas for staff and students, all-access gender-neutral restrooms, an outdoor quad, and an atrium with a main stairway that doubles as a gathering space. The contractor for the phase is BHM Construction, with architectural design by DLR Architects.
“District officials have initiated a $280 million modernization project … which will be completed in several phases over the next few years,” San Pablo Mayor Arturo Cruz said at the groundbreaking. “The overall project includes constructing a new two-story building along 23rd Street. The remaining portion of the classroom building will be updated with the addition of windows; the large gym and other buildings will be refreshed and refurbished.”
Superintendent Cotton described the day as “exciting” for both the Richmond and San Pablo communities.
“Our buildings, our facilities, should match our students and their amazing brilliance, their potential,” she said.
Cotton encouraged patience, noting that while there will be several years of construction, the community stands to gain something much better in the end.
Vice Mayor Zepeda, an alumnus of Richmond High described the project as long in the making, born from students and residents asking whether they deserved better, and now finally seeing that promise begin to be fulfilled.
Added Richmond High Principal Rocio Reyes, “This new building will not only honor the history, but it’s also going to carry forward the pride and resilience that defines Richmond High School. It represents the belief that our students deserve the very best, and it will manifest into a physical space that reflects their excellence.”
