Ida B. Wells Modernization, Farmers’ Market Update

[November 2, 2025]

The Wells design team held an open house in the high school cafeteria on October 22 to share the latest on the design and construction timeline for rebuilding the campus. Staff from Portland Public Schools (PPS) as well as Bora Architects were on hand to answer questions from school staff and community members.

Early in the event, PPS board member Christy Splitt announced that the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market will be allowed to relocate to the south end of the parking lot during construction. She noted that PPS had heard from “hundreds of community members.” Details are still being finalized, but market managers said in a recent email to supporters that “this is a major, positive step forward.”

The revised comprehensive plan for the Wells modernization will be put before the school board for approval on November 4.

A rendering showing the completed campus. Note that it does not show fencing and gates.

Principal Ayesha Coning shared a “principal’s perspective” on the fencing plan, acknowledging differing community perspectives. She said that school staff must regularly deal with unauthorized people on campus, thefts and unauthorized entry into school buildings, and that the proposed fencing plan will help decrease these incidents. When construction is complete, students will continue to be allowed off campus during lunch, but the campus will remain closed during school hours. Some neighbors in attendance were disappointed that the fences would impact how they access the business district and bus stops to the north on Capitol Hwy.

Design revisions

The fencing plan has been revised from earlier design iterations, with the perimeter pulled in so that it covers less ground (see blue line in image below). The new plan appears to allow for improved pedestrian access at the edges of the property. Timed gates that will be closed during school hours remain part of the design (indicated by orange bars).

The updated plan shows final campus fencing, in blue. Gates are indicated as orange bars.

In response to a question about parking for construction workers, staff said more information on construction logistics might be available at the next open house.

This table from PPS Board Meeting materials gives an overview of revisions to the design plan.

The final design includes:

• A 500-seat theater

• Space for a new Student Based Health Center (PPS is looking for a partner to operate this facility. If a partner isn’t identified before the building opens, the space will initially be used for CTE (career-technical education) programs. It could still be converted to its intended use in the future once a partner is found.)

• Upgraded band classroom

• New athletic turf fields

• Tennis courts (courts will not be marked for pickleball, a contentious issue with nearby neighbors early on in the process)

• Parking lot upgrades with new trees as required by code.

Earlier concerns about reduced parking have been addressed; the southeast parking lot will be expanded to maintain roughly the same number of spaces as there are now.

Floor plan at the main entrance level. The entry is indicated with a black arrow. Fencing and gates are not shown.

Band teacher Nick Caldwell looks forward to the changes ahead. While the modernization won’t include upgrades to band instruments, he’s enthusiastic about the physical improvements, which will make it much easier to prepare for concerts throughout the year. The current band room is tiered and lacks direct ADA access to the stage, meaning Caldwell and his students must haul everything—including large percussion instruments—down three levels, past classes in session, and then either up stairs to the stage or outside, around the building, and back in through another entrance. The effort, he said, is “back-breaking," time-consuming, and disruptive to other classrooms.

Timeline

Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2026, with the new building expected to open to students in fall 2029. Demolition of the old building and construction of new sports fields will follow, continuing for about another year. The stadium grandstand will be rebuilt to accommodate 1,700 spectators, the standard for all modernized PPS high schools. The current stadium can hold as many as 2200.

Students will stay on site during construction. Athletic fields will be closed for three years. Plans are still being worked out for field access. Jackson Middle School, with soon-to-be-upgraded fields, is expected to be called into use for Wells athletes, as well as other facilities in other locations.

Next steps

The schematic design phase is now complete, next comes the architectural design phase which will generate more details on engineering and costs. According to the November 4 Board Meeting documents, the permit process will occur in three stages:

• Underground utilities and foundations

• The structure

• All other requirements

The permit phase will be the next opportunity for community members to raise concerns or provide input as the City of Portland’s planning bureau reviews the project.

—Valeurie Friedman

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Critics have said PPS is building too many large high schools at a time when enrollment is projected to fall. What's your view? Is the new building too big? Too small? Just right? Let us know.