Abatement Preparation Underway at Puyallup High School’s Library-Science Building

Work is officially underway at the Puyallup High School campus, where crews are preparing the Library-Science Building for demolition later this summer. This week, teams began abatement prep work—carefully clearing out the building, conducting environmental testing, and removing sections of drywall to access and prepare flooring materials for asbestos abatement.

This phase is critical. Before any demolition can begin, all hazardous materials—like asbestos, commonly used in older buildings—must be safely identified, removed, and disposed of according to state and federal regulations. These early efforts ensure the safety of workers, protect the surrounding campus environment, and pave the way for a clean, efficient demolition process.

Importantly, this abatement work is funded through the 2024 Capital Levy, made possible by the support of Puyallup School District voters. That support reflects a shared community commitment to safe schools and responsible stewardship of public resources.

The Library-Science Building, originally built in 1962 and last modernized in the late 1980s, served thousands of students during its lifetime. It housed both the school art, library, and science classrooms. However, after 60+ years of continuous use, the building faced severe mechanical and structural system failures. Repair estimates reached into the multi-million-dollar range, leading the district to make the fiscally responsible decision to reinvest those taxpayer dollars into long-term, sustainable solutions instead of pouring funds into a failing structure.

This project is part of a broader commitment to modernize Puyallup High School—one of the district’s oldest and most iconic campuses. With many parts of the school dating back to 1927 and last receiving major improvements in 1995, the need for safe, updated, and expanded learning spaces is pressing. The library-Science Building’s removal is a significant first step toward alleviating overcrowding and preparing for future facility upgrades when bond funding is available.

Learn more:

• Temporary Gates and New Classrooms Bring Change to Puyallup High School
• New Portable Classrooms Roll into Puyallup High School
• Puyallup High School Students Face STEM Setbacks with Aging, Inequitable Learning Spaces