Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 2008 01 16

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes January 16, 2008 Page 4 of 12 was getting back to the city and the community. Currently the construction drawings for the new building are 50% complete. Orr added that policy is set by the school board and they will make the final decision on how to proceed. Orr asked the Commission what the community is looking for. Lewis stated that the community understands the need to modernize the school but would like to see a solution where the eastern fayade of the 1939 building is incorporated in the new building. The community would like to see what options there are for saving that fayade. Adele Wilson of SlaterPaul Architects stated that her firm was hired by rict because they specialize in schools, preservation, and sustainable des./ recognized the historic significance of the school but also noted that th a number of educational inadequacies and deficiencies. She ad d that design addressed the need for additional square footage without exp 0 the south where there is a drainage way and wastewater line. The DA T determ would prefer to spend the money on school facilities rather than moving the dral dditionally, the new plan addresses ADA compliance, building code u dates including fire sprinklers, and the need for larger classroom space. Michael Menaker, 1827 West Choke Cherry Drive, asked at the cost estimates were to move the drainage. Billy O'Donnell, 247 Hoover Court, memb $250,000-$500,000 plus an additional 3- e DA T said a very rough estimate was in the construction schedule. Menaker asked if it would be pos .ble to let the community raise the additional funds that are needed. Orr noted that there would be addl al issues to consider such as a new design and new construction drawi s, the loss of one full year of construction time, and the cost of inflation. Menaker asked if the dral age changes to the south are the only way to save the fayade. If so at is the estimated price tag that would save the fayade and get the needed b . nctionality and is the community willing to pay the difference? t the cost of inflation for one year is likely at least $1 million. Janet Stonington asked why they didn't consider saving the fayade in the first place. Wilson noted that it is not as simple as saving the fayade, but requires saving enough additional structure to save the fayade. Megan Valentine, 1101 Grant Avenue, asked what would be required to save the auditorium as well. Wilson stated that they have not reviewed that possibility.