Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 7, 1993 TAG: 9301070131
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES BLACKSBURG ELEMENTARY PLANS
Revised plans for a new elementary school in Blacksburg have been approved by the Montgomery County School Board.The site and building plans for the proposed school were changed to respond to suggestions and complaints from citizens, William Traylor, project architect, told the board Tuesday night.
The new plans included slightly relocating the building within the property, changing the orientation of a bus entrance to the property, sloping a roofline on part of the structure and preserving trees on the site.
Board members decided against having a public meeting to review the changes, saying that instead they would consult a citizens' group selected to review the project.
Some citizens say they haven't been given enough of an opportunity to review and comment on the new school's plans.
School Superintendent Harold Dodge said the board may be viewed as "presumptuous" for moving hastily with plans for the new school, to be located on Prices Fork Road near the Hethwood complex.
But he said economics were the driving factor. The board wants the new school to be bid and built while the construction market is soft and costs are lower, Dodge said.
Bids for the project will be issued Monday, with the contract scheduled to be awarded on Feb. 9. Construction may begin in late March, Traylor said.
Initially the school will be planned for 600 students at an estimated cost of $4.6 million. However, four additional classrooms may be included if bids are low enough.
Dodge said the board wants to avoid costly revisions to the school plans after bids are offered. But he said the board will reconsider the plans if the opportunity to build the additional classrooms arises.
The new school will resemble the county's newest school, Falling Branch Elementary, with several structural differences, including a larger gymnasium for community recreational use.
The town of Blacksburg is sharing costs for the larger gymnasium and for part of the 28-acre school site to be developed for recreation.
The sloping roofline was included to reduce the building's visual impact on the nearby Haymarket Square town house development.
The school system also hired a forester to review the site after residents of Haymarket Square expressed concern about losing trees to the new school.
Traylor said the new site plan will preserve some trees and include a visual barrier of pines to be planted between the school and Haymarket Square.
He said the project has attracted many calls from prospective contractors since it was advertised several days ago.