A Safer Campus for Houston High School

When Repair Wasn’t Enough

When a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Southcentral Alaska in November 2018, the damage went beyond cosmetic repairs. At Houston High School, the event revealed structural limitations that raised concerns about the building’s future.

RESPEC was brought in to evaluate the building and develop recommendations to restore safe learning spaces as quickly as possible. Through detailed on-site assessments and coordination with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and insurance representatives, it became clear that repairs would not provide the long-term performance the community needed. The project shifted from repair to full replacement. RESPEC supported the district through the FEMA funding process by developing cost estimates and technical documentation that helped secure federal backing and keep the project moving.

Rebuilding Under Market and Schedule Pressure

As the project advanced, material shortages and a volatile construction market introduced new challenges. RESPEC worked with contractors to revise structural systems and maintain a fast-track schedule without compromising safety or functionality.

Delivery of the new school required a phased approach. RESPEC supported the demolition of the damaged academic wing while rehabilitating the athletic and administrative wings to integrate with new construction. By reviewing scanned record drawings and modeling structural, mechanical, and electrical systems, the team evaluated critical infrastructure areas, including mechanical rooms, water service, and fire protection.

RESPEC also designed a robust electrical system, including two 500-kilowatt generators capable of operating in parallel, with transfer switches and controls to support continuous operation during outages.

A School Built to Serve the Community for the Long Term

The new Houston High School closed the chapter on earthquake-damaged infrastructure and years of disruption. Designed to meet Alaska’s seismic demands, the replacement campus restores safe learning environments and provides a dependable public facility built to serve the community over the long term.