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Richland-based Fowler General Construction will build the new Tapteal Elementary, with construction beginning this summer.
The Richland School Board recently awarded the bid for the project to Fowler after the company provided the lowest bid at $19,944,500. That bid was more than $500,000 less than initial cost estimates for the project.
The old Tapteal building, located at 705 N. 62nd Ave. in West Richland, will be demolished this summer before construction begins on top of its former site. Tapteal students and staff will be moved temporarily to the new elementary near the corner of Keene Road and Belmont Boulevard in West Richland.
The new school was designed by Design West Architects. The two-story building will be more than 65,000-square feet, have more than 30 classrooms, a multipurpose space, library, art and music rooms, gym and a new playground. The new school is scheduled to open in August 2020.
Fowler also constructed the new Jefferson Elementary, which opened in August 2018.
A bond approved by voters in February 2017 is paying for the Tapteal project.