History
The project to build the school began in 1988. The northern part of the site had been within the Los Angeles City Oil Field, an industrial area which contained over 1,000 active oil wells around 1900, and a concern of soil contamination – specifically, methane and hydrogen sulfide – was confirmed during development in 1999. This resulted in a temporary halt to construction.
In December 2000 Superintendent Roy Romer saved the project and began reviewing private bids to address the additional issues at the site. In 2002, the "Alliance for a Better Community" was selected to finish the project.
Further complicating the development, in September 2002 an earthquake fault was detected on the northeast portion of the plot. The project was again temporarily suspended.
In May 2003 the LAUSD voted to finish the school using funds from voter initiative bond Measure K but with certain modifications: inclusion of a 10 to 12 acre (4 to 4.9 ha) park; a 500 seat learning academy; a library; an auditorium; and a parent center. The total project cost was then estimated to be around US$300 million.
In December 2004, approximately one third of the buildings were demolished because of the earthquake fault and then construction continued. In June 2009 the first graduating class of Edward R. Roybal Learning Center walked the stage on the football field and they were known as the Legacies of 2009.
The nickname of Titans was 1st place pick of all the students for the school's team name, while the Raptors was the second choice.
Read more about this topic: Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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