The Plymouth Community School Board held a public hearing last night to field comments on the proposed new Lincoln Junior High School facility.
Superintendent Dan Tyree said that focus groups were asked to tour the current facility and all involved determined that a new facility was needed. The cost to rehabilitate the current building was deemed not feasible.
In the preliminary plans for the $49.995 million project, the current building that houses 550 students would be torn down to make way for a new structure built at 220 N. Liberty Street. Classrooms would be bigger and there would be more opportunity for growth in future classes.
The west end of the school that features the 1926 original structure will be left standing and rehabilitated. That portion of the building could be utilized by different organizations within the corporation.
In addition to the construction project, other needs at Washington Elementary, Riverside Elementary and Plymouth High School have been figured into the cost. As outlined by Brian Bohlender from Architecture firm Barton Coe Vilamaa, roofing, lighting and HVAC systems need replaced at these facilities. Paving is also included in the additional $2 million General Obligation Bond Issue.
The incremental tax rate would be $.0783 per $100 of assessed valuation of property.
Several residents had concerns about traffic. A traffic study is planned and comments will be taken into consideration. Other comments were made about the cost of the project, but the board hopes that bids will come in lower than the advertised projected estimate.
At the conclusion of the public hearing, the board members unanimously approved a project resolution and a resolution approving preliminary plans, for lease and authorizing the publication of notice of lease hearing.
