By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
With a facilities study looming in the near future, the Burlington Area School District Buildings, Grounds and Transportation Committee turned down an offer to purchase a church Monday evening.
Grace Church, which is across the street from Cooper Elementary School in Burlington, is selling the property – but not closing, stressed pastor the Rev. Scott Carson.
The church is moving to a new location on Highway A, just past Highway W.
“We’re excited about relocating,” said Carson.
However, what happens with the current site in Burlington will now depend on the buyer. Cooper Elementary is on just 2.5 acres of land, compared to the average of about 10 acres for elementary schools.
As a result, parking at the school is a continual challenge. Director of Buildings and Grounds Gary Olsen pitched the possible purchase Monday night as a chance to create an additional parking lot for the school.
District personnel already use the church’s property – which includes the church and a house belonging to the church – as a parking lot during the week. Olsen’s plan would have removed both buildings and created a 33-space lot that would have included handicapped spots and green space.
However, the cost of the project would have likely been about $600,000 – including the purchase price of $300,000, another $96,000 on asbestos abatement and $71,400 on demolition.
“I would think it be best that we pass right now,” said School Board President Bill Campbell, who said the board might revisit the issue if the property was still for sale after the upcoming facilities study is completed.
Carson said he wasn’t disappointed by the decision, though he’d been hopeful for the sale.
He added that he didn’t think the property would come back to BASD for a second shot.
“I’m hoping not,” Carson said. “It’s already listed.”
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Another Government agency not doing math correctly or a reporter not providing all the numbers.
My math has the project at: $300,000 + $96,000 + $71,400 = $467,400 not $600,000 as reported.
That is a savings of $132,000 so it should be worth it now.
The article states what is included in the price. It does not say that those things are the only things included in the price. Clearly, the actual cost of paving the parking lot was not included. I’m sure there are other things as well that would increase the total to the $600,000 total noted by the reporter.
Another bystander taking shots without attempting to learn the facts. Scott? It’s a parking lot! You might expect that there would be a few dollars spent on let’s say asphalt, lights, permits, and maybe a painted line or two. Maybe $132,000 worth of additional work?
Drainage, curb , catch basins, trees for the green space to make it look pretty when the snow plows hit them !!!
$600,000 for a few extra parking spaces? Really? It seems like a no brainer. That’s way too much money!