07-09-01 Zoning & Annexation - Laserfiche WebLink

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• I Zoning and Annexation Committee July 9, 2001 Page 3 is detailed in the information previously provided to the Council. Between $ 90,000 and $ 100,000 is spent annually by SBCC on maintenance, utilities, security and insurance. He noted that the boilers in the building are over 35 years old; there are high heating costs; it has a leaking roof; utilities do not meet Code; and the overall condition of the 79-year old building are not worth saving whereas the New Nuner School is 21st Century. There are 7.2 acres on the site in question of which 4.5 are building. Under current regulations there should be 11-13 acres for such a facility to meet state guidelines. SBCC is currently in a deficit situation. Mr. Urlowski then detailed the public process utilized by the SBCC before the building was closed and decisions were made to demolish the building so that the green space could be upgraded as recreational area for the new Nuner School. Mr. William Soderberg noted that he taught at Old Nuner School and that a lot of the information in the public forums has been incorrect. He stressed that all decisions with regard to the Old Nuner School by SBCC were done in public over a two-year period. He stated that the building is old by not historic since it is not even the original Riverpark School. He stated that the new Nuner School is one of the finest in this part of the country and with the green space being enhanced it could be the best. Mr. Soderberg concluded that it would take millions of dollars to bring the facility up to Code in light of ADA regulations,heating,air conditioning,electrical, and mechanical codes. Committee discussion then took place. Council Member Kelly noted that he has a concern over the costs to renovate the facility. He believes that one of the numbers, $ 2.5 million, would not be enough. He noted that he was a member of the Advisory Committee which weighed whether a new school or a renovated school would be best. He called upon a local architect who noted that the building does not have terra cota but rather limestone. The old building has 80,000 square feet with cost estimates ranging as high as$ 10 million to renovate properly. Council Member Coleman called upon Lisa Gilman who noted that the building may be able to be turned into apartments for $ 4 million citing projects in other communities were there have been similar rehabilitation projects of old buildings. In response to a question from Council Member King it was noted that affordable housing tax credits could be used as a funding source for such a project. Council Member Varner noted that based on the information he has reviewed and heard that he could make a motion to recommend Bill No. 45-01 favorably to Council. The motion failed for lack of a second. Council Member Coleman stated that he believes that the development of the green space would be an assist to the new Nuner School but also the neighborhood. He stated that an extended process has taken place by SBCC but now the City is place in this position by SBCC and HPC. He supports "adaptive reuse" however the SBCC School Board has made a decision based on the detailed information it had which included a specific time table. The decision was made to expand the campus of the school which would serve the neighborhood well by the development of the green space. Council Member Ujdak noted that he agrees with many of Council Member Coleman's remarks. He does not see any harm by extending the process as suggested by Mr. Oxian. He suggested that