Benson Polytechnic Celebrates Its Grand Opening After an Extensive Three Year Modernization

Portland Public Schools welcomes the public to a Grand Opening Celebration of the newly modernized Benson Polytechnic campus on Saturday, Sept.14,  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the front of the school, 546 NE 12th Ave. The event will include a special ribbon cutting ceremony followed by self-guided tours of the new campus. Several Benson Tech Alumni and reunion groups will also be meeting throughout the day.

This historic modernization preserves more than 100 years of history while modernizing the campus into the state-of-the-art facility.

“This space embodies our commitment to creativity and environmental stewardship,” said PPS Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong. “It will inspire our students and community to build a future where innovation and responsibility thrive together."

“We here at Benson Tech which includes our students, staff, alumni and community are extremely excited to be in our new state of the art 21st century facility, and we look forward to utilizing all the new and updated tools and equipment that this remodeled Benson Tech has to offer,” said Benson Polytechnic Principal Curtis Wilson Jr. 

After 3 years of construction students and staff returned to the modernized school when school reopened in late August. The remodel includes a seismic retrofit of the four historic buildings with complete health and safety upgrades. The large gym’s structure was upgraded to provide a temporary emergency shelter, in partnership with Oregon’s Seismic Retrofit Grant Program.

The entire Benson Polytechnic campus is designed with sustainability in mind. The building is earth friendly. Natural daylight and increased energy efficiency significantly lowers the school’s carbon footprint. Its large solar array will provide about 314 MWh of renewable energy. Additionally, more than 40 new trees have been planted to capture carbon and increase shade.To enhance the school’s commitment to career and technical education programs, 5 new buildings have been added totaling 385,000 square feet. They house state of the art learning spaces for programs in construction, manufacturing, electrical, engineering, health occupations, digital media, computer science, automotive and broadcasting. 

Benson is the 6th PPS high school to be modernized or rebuilt through the School Building Improvement Bond program. The remaining three high schools are in the design phase and Jefferson is slated to begin construction in the summer of 2025.