What’s next for Bellefonte elementary schools? Architectural firm presents feasibility study results
Following a third feasibility study, the Bellefonte Area School District is once again weighing its options for a project that’s been discussed for a years — the elementary building project.
During Tuesday’s board meeting, members heard from Hunt Engineers and Architects — a building firm that was retained at a cost of $59,400 — to determine the practicality of making renovations to the elementary schools Bellefonte, Benner, Pleasant Gap and Marion-Walker — or constructing a new building that could result in consolidation.
This marks the third feasibility study the district has undergone since 2009, according to a project timeline, but all have made similar conclusions — the elementary buildings are in need of upgrades. Hunt Engineers Vice President Greg Barr and project manager Mike Jones reiterated to the board what needed to be done to the outdated facilities in a presentation, which offered six possible options the project could take.
A feasibility study conducted in 2017 — which cost $25,000 — identified Bellefonte Elementary as needing the most and costliest renovations. The most recent assessment looked at the conditions of the elementary buildings, how to make facilities more equitable, community outreach and collaboration with a project building committee.
After walking through the buildings, Jones said they all have outdated materials — roofing, flooring and HVAC systems — and require upgrades to meet equity, ADA regulations and fire code. But, not every building requires the same amount of work.
The first option, which comes with no operational savings, would bring the buildings up to code and leave equity concerns unaddressed. Construction is estimated to cost $34 million, and overall project cost would be $40.6 million, Jones said.
Option two would incorporate equity into renovations and is estimated to cost about $70.9 million.
Options three, four and five include different combinations of building renovations, new construction and adjusting enrollment numbers to accommodate potential building closures. They cost between $58-70 million.
The sixth and final option presented to the board would close Bellefonte, Benner and Pleasant Gap — consolidating the buildings at Marion-Walker, which would be expanded. This approach is estimated to cost $52 million.
“You basically have two equal buildings in the district, two equal buildings of around 600 students, to provide that max efficiency within each building is what option six is,” Jones said. “Ultimately, that does provide you the most savings.”
Board President Jon Guizar said the district is trying to find a “happy medium” that is financially attainable and promotes equity within the elementary learning program. Moving forward, the district plans to consult with another financial analyst to evaluate its financial options and a potential project timeline.
“We really need to come up to ... a path forward for the district that the community will support and stand behind, the district will support and stand behind, because it brings equity across our elementary program,” Guizar said. “That’s the goal. It’s up to us to help steer that discussion and give these guys some direction on where we want them to proceed next.”
This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 1:56 PM.
