Delaware Area Neighborhood Watch

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Meeting On School 18

The meeting went forward yesterday. There was Shawn Hamlin from the School District architecture office, Bill Moriarty the District Construction Manager and Paul Irish the Construction Site Manager from Pike-Heery. Eleven people from the neighborhood turned out, mostly from Bertha Street but one from second Avenue, one from Summit, and Cathy Fahey was there. I was disappointed that only two people (from the same household and also connected with the church) were there from Hurlbut Street. I also wondered about others who had expressed interest at earlier times. I am aware there were other important things going on that evening too.

The water is scheduled to be turned off on Bertha Street today in connection with the construction.

Among things reviewed at the meeting were: Construction work started June 27, the old building was demolished in August, they are currently in the foundation and concrete phase of work. Starting November 28 they will start the structural steel phase. They plan to work through the winter. By spring they should have a good deal up and begin work on the inside. They plan to open school in January 2007.

The school will have a cafeteria and gym that will be available to the public for meeting or other use. The building will be designed for 450 students K-5.

There was significant discussion regarding the lawn at the south side of the building. There was concern that early and constant use would turn it into a dust bowl. While the constant use potential was acknowledged it was pointed out that the new building will have an airconditioned usable gym which the old building did not and thus allow for more indoor use on hot summer days and give the lawn a degree of respite from use.

There was discussion of what might be future issues for public discussion with the school once it opens: 1) maintenance of the lawn to avoid the dustbowl effect, 2) keeping the gate open for passage through from Hurlbut to Bertha, 3) evening use of the lawn area, 4) will there be playground equipment in the lawn area?, 5) building use by the community.

There was also discussion of the rationale for creating a new building when the maintenance of the old building was compared with the present demands for educational settings.

At the beginning of the meeting a few questions were thrown out about the proposed bond issue for renovations of Albany High School. There is a planned May 2006 vote for a bond issue for fund to renovate Albany High. Plans are unfolding on that at this time.

Thanks to all who attended or helped in putting the meeting together.

-Paul

2 Comments:

  • Thanks for the report Paul. I had to flip a coin and ended up going to the Common Council meeting.

    By Blogger Perry, at 4:44 PM  

  • Thanks Perry...could you share a summary of what happened there? I heard that the big box store for Holland Avenue snuck back out from under the rug...I suppose that reveals my feelings about it.

    By Blogger paul, at 10:14 AM  

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