Bond Issue Update Nov. 2009
November 23, 2009
Interior and exterior, bond issue projects are progressing
In April 2009, the University City community approved a $53.6 million bond issue for renovations and new construction as part of the plan developed by the Destination U. City Schools community involvement process and approved by the University City Board of Education.
A formal “ground breaking” ceremony was held on September 9 (Click here for related article.) and by early November, the old Barbara C. Jordan building had been demolished. Work has begun on preparing the site for utilities infrastructure, site grading for footings and foundations of the new facility.
Flynn Park Elementary has had foundational waterproofing and a new neutral air unit installed as part of its “greener” building improvements. Bringing “fresh” outdoor air into a building is vital for maintaining good indoor air quality. Construction on Flynn’s new cafeteria, additional classrooms and library/media center are not scheduled to begin until fall of 2010.
Jackson Park Elementary School has had tuckpointing on the exterior brick walls as well as foundational waterproofing completed. Construction on the school’s new gymnasium, cafeteria, additional classrooms and library/media center are not scheduled to begin until fall of 2010.
At Brittany Woods Middle School, preparation has begun for the footings of the new media center. Classrooms and science lab renovations are not scheduled to begin until summer of 2010.
Most of the work this fall has been at University City High School. New handicap parking spaces that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have been created and designated along Balson Avenue near the south-east corner of the Muhl-Schemmer football stadium. A new ADA-compliant door has been installed at the nearby Balson entrance. Restrooms near the main gym have been upgrade to ADA standards and the switchback ramp for entrance to the mezzanine level of the gym is also complete. The concrete footings for the elevator shaft are being poured and the elevator is expected to be operational by late fall 2010. Cosmetically, the front foyer and auditorium have been repainted in keeping with the original art-deco style of the facility. The state-of-the-art science wing, including biology, physics, chemistry and earth science labs, is nearing completion and is expected to be operational for second semester classes in 2010 with the existing science labs converted into transitional classroom space. UCHS is also receiving a new heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system including a neutral air unit in areas being renovated.
On the administration side of the bond issue, the District has established a finance/bond issue oversight committee that has been meeting regularly since June; along with academic reform and accountability committees that meet quarterly.
