Huntington Middle School: The Next Chapter

The proud history of Huntington High School and Huntington Middle School will continue with the construction of a new 600-student middle school, anticipated to open during the second semester of the 2025-2026 school year.

The new middle school is part of the city’s Southeast Community Resource Area that is set to include a public library and community center, as well as sports and recreation features.

Construction Progress Update

February 18, 2025

The Huntington Middle School building site is divided into four (4) building zones, A, B, C, & D. MEB General Contractors, Inc, the Contractor, is developing the building pad in the order of zones C, D, B, and A. The work completed in these building zones are as follows:

In Zone "C" the contractor has completed the following:

• Plumbing & Electrical rough-ins under-slab for the gym and locker rooms are complete.
• Gym and Locker Rooms floors are prepped for the first slab-on-grade concrete placement at Huntington Middle School
• Gym and locker rooms are scheduled for concrete placement by mid-February '25.

In Zone "D" of the building the contractor has completed the following:

• Plumbing rough-ins under-slab for the kitchen and cafeteria are approximately 75% complete.
• Electrical rough-ins under-slab for the kitchen and cafeteria are complete.
• Kitchen & Cafeteria masonry block walls are approximately 25% AFF.
• Classroom footing foundations are complete with CMU block at Finished Floor Elevation.
• Stairwell #2 masonry block walls are at full elevation AFF.

In Zone "B" of the building the contractor has completed the following:

• Plumbing rough-ins under-slab for classrooms and Media Center are complete.
• Electrical rough-ins under-slab for classrooms and Media Center are approximately 30% complete.
• Classroom and Media Center footing foundations are complete with CMU block at Finished Floor Elevation.
• Stairwell #1 masonry block walls are approximately 75% complete.

In Zone "A" of the building the contractor has completed the following:

• Plumbing rough-ins under-slab for classrooms and Media Center are complete.
• Classroom and Auditorium footing foundations are complete with CMU block at Finished Floor Elevation.

Field House

• Footing foundations are complete with CMU block at Finished Floor Elevation.

Project Completion

• Approximately 12% Complete.

Utility status is as follows:

• Water: Newport News Waterworks is still working on designs, 1-8-25.
• Sewer: The Contractor per Change Order #2 has paid HRSD tap fees.
• Stormwater:
  • Right-of-Way issues have been resolved along Wickham to allow the Contractor to submit permit applications for construction. Traffic Control Plan anticipated start is TBD for stormwater structures near or in roadways.
  • Thirty-Six-inch (36 in.) diameter steel castings are installed for the 18 inch storm sewer lines onsite in the Courtyard of the school building.
• Power: City of Newport News has decided to expedite ordering of major long lead electrical equipment such as the switchgear and main electrical distribution panels before completion of the Dominion Energy survey to maintain the overall project schedule for building completion.
• Gas: City of Newport News has initiated paperwork with Natural Gas for service. Gas meter locations have been provided to the Owner and confirmed by the design team 1-8-2025.
• Communications:
  • The Civil Engineer of Record, Kimley Horn, is making design revisions to establish the most efficient route for fiber optics and Cox Communications.

Four Week Look Ahead Schedule is as follows:

• The Contractor will Pour the Concrete Floors for the Gym & Locker Rooms.
• The Contractor will continue Plumbing rough-ins under slab for the Kitchen & Cafeteria in Area "C".
• Contractor will prep for concrete floors in the Kitchen & Cafeteria.
• The Contractor will continue Plumbing & Electrical rough-ins under slab in Zones "B" & "A".
• Continue to install load bearing CMU Block Walls in Zones B & A - Auditorium.
• Complete installation of load bearing walls at Stairwell #1.