Ida B. Wells Modernization Planning & Design

Ida B. Wells Design Advisory Group Meeting Materials

• DAG #7 Meeting Presentation 06-05-25
• DAG #7 Meeting Minutes 06-05-25
• DAG #7 Public Comments 06-05-25
• DAG #6 Meeting Presentation 04-09-25
• DAG #6 Meeting Minutes 04-09-25
• DAG #5 Meeting Presentation 10-23-24
• DAG #5 Meeting Minutes 10-23-24
• DAG #4 Meeting Presentation 9-18-24
• DAG #4 Meeting Minutes 9-18-24
• DAG #3 Welcoming Spaces Survey Results 9-16-24
• DAG #3 Meeting Presentation 8-14-24
• DAG #3 Meeting Minutes 8-14-24
• DAG #2 Meeting Presentation 6-20-24
• DAG #2 Meeting Minutes 6-20-24
• DAG #1 Meeting Presentation 5-20-24
• DAG #1 Meeting Minutes 5-20-24
• IBW Community Agreements

Project Timeline

Planning and Design began in early fall of 2023 with the development of a Ida B. Wells Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Design phase will continue into 2026. The passage of the May 2025 Bond provided the district funding for construction. A final schedule for construction is currently in development.

Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC)

The Ida B. Wells Comprehensive Planning Committee (CPC) is a group of school and community stakeholder representatives who work together to help provide feedback for the Ida B. Wells Comprehensive Plan. The Committee includes parents, teachers, students, alumni, PPS staff and partners, community representatives and a school board member. While CPC members do not make decisions, their input is crucial in creating a design that the entire Ida B. Wells community will be proud of.

Comprehensive Plan

On May 7th, 2024, the PPS School Board approved the comprehensive plan for a new Ida B Wells High School to be built to the west of the existing school on the multipurpose field. Students will stay on site in the existing school during construction. The new IBW will be a larger four-story building with state-of-the-art academic and support spaces, including specialized instructional spaces for Well’s unique Career Technical Education [CTE] programs. The track and field will be relocated and reoriented, creating a more inviting approach to campus from the Capitol Highway side of the site. The Portland Parks and Recreation swimming pool will remain in its current location and is not part of this project, but parking and access to the pool facility will be improved.

A full complement of athletic fields will be provided, and the existing fields on the Rieke side of the campus will be upgraded. Two Southwest Trails through the site will be upgraded.

View the April 2024 IBW comprehensive plan report

Design Team

Bora Architecture has deep K-12 experience and a strong history of successful projects with PPS, including Faubion PK-8 and the rebuilt Lincoln High School. They are also a national leader in the design of performing arts spaces.

Conceptual Master Planning

• Ida B Wells Conceptual Master Planning (2019)