Next MEETING is the D200 TOWN HALL on Tuesday, October 30 (Link)
HOW to participate - Sign the ONLINE PETITION and share the Link - Attend any meeting (Link) and SPEAK during public comment - Send an E-mail to school board members (Link) - Learn about the FINANCING options (Link) - Write a Letter to the Editor (WJ - OL) - Share this info with friends and neighbors.
This post is a review of the proposal put forth by the IMAGINE OPRF team to the D200 BoE on September 11. First of all, the total project is split into FIVE sequences but cost estimates were provided for only THREE of these sequences. And these estimates total a WHOPPING $145 MILLION. And still leaves the last 2 sequences as a big unknown.
The board asked some questions of the Imagine team, but any questions of substance (such as whether costs be reduced) were deflected. Very disappointing that the board - and taxpayers - are not being offered any real alternatives at different price points! Furthermore, of the $145 million for sequences 1, 2 and 3, about $117 million (80%) is dedicated to the Field House, primarily for PE and Athletic uses. Only 20%, $28 million in Sequence 1, is not dedicated to the Field House. Sequence 1 adds a 2-story addition above the South Cafeteria which currently is just one story. Sequences 2 & 3 are upgrades and rebuilding of sections of the existing Field House. The final section of the Field House is left for Sequence 5 (which may well be the most costly sequence of all, who knows?)
See this LINK for a breakdown of the costs of sequences 1, 2 and 3. It provides some detail on various spending categories. See pg. 4 for a summary. This LINK provides narrative that describes specific improvements accomplished in each sequence and why they need to be done in this order.
- Sequence 1 @ $28,507,600 (primarily for new construction above the South Cafeteria to provide a new library/media and student resource spaces, classrooms and other academic and student services needs)
- Sequence 2 @ $66,742,100 (primarily for the east part of the Field House - P.E. and Athletics / new construction for an oversized, 17 lane, 40 x 25 yard pool, locker rooms, offices, and some multi-use spaces. It includes $569,800 for Performing Arts - less than 1% of the total)
- Sequence 3 @ $49,629,100 (the west part of the Field House; includes the most significant Performing Arts allocation of all the priced sequences with $14,183,900 specifically designated for Performing Arts)
- ALL sequences include amounts designated "Community/Shared Spaces" which is not defined. It may include things such as storage, hallways, bathrooms, stairways and elevators)
- It concerns us that the costs for Sequence One are fairly detailed and related to specific components, whereas the costs for Sequences 2 & 3 are vague and generic. Please see pages 2 & 3 at this LINK
See the chart below for a breakdown of these costs.
(Note: Link only available to those logged in to Facebook. See the file labeled "Concept Cost Estimate - CORRECTED - Seq 1-3... near the top of the list. It can be "previewed" by clicking the preview button to the right of the file name. Page 3 recaps costs for the first 3 sequences.)
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