Demolition Underway at Puyallup High School’s Library-Science Building

School may be out for summer, but capital improvements are moving full steam ahead at Puyallup High School. Crews have begun demolition of the Library-Science Building, a structure that served generations of students but has reached the end of its usable life. 

The project, led by Streamline Construction, follows months of careful preparation. Earlier this spring, Boush Moving Company removed salvageable furniture and equipment for reuse in other schools. Outdated materials were sorted and recycled to reduce waste and lower disposal costs. Nearby trees were also removed to create a safe buffer around the demolition zone. 

Safety remains the top priority as demolition continues. Trained abatement professionals in full protective gear, including specialized asbestos suits, are carefully removing hazardous materials in accordance with state and federal safety regulations. The process is being monitored closely to protect workers, neighbors, and the learning environment around the site. 

Built in 1962 and last updated more than 35 years ago, the Library-Science Building was closed after significant systems failures which made it too costly to maintain. With repair estimates reaching into the multi-millions, district leaders made the decision to prioritize long-term value and safety over short-term fixes. Demolition is expected to be completed before students return in the fall. 

Puyallup High School continues to face growing challenges tied to aging infrastructure and overcrowded classrooms. The campus’s last major upgrade was the Career and Technical Education (CTE) building in 2009. Some parts of the main building still date back to 1927 and haven’t seen modernization since 1995. 

This summer’s work clears the way for future improvements and is one step closer to addressing long-standing facility needs, pending community support for the next bond measure. 

To learn more about all of our Capital Levy projects visit http://www.puyallupsd.org/levy.