THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411240344
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Vanee Vines
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
NORCOM DESIGN: The School Board voted 4-2 Monday to switch the design plan for the new I.C. Norcom High School. School district and city officials said the change would not delay the school's opening, set for September 1997.
Under the new plan, the school building will be flip-flopped. It will be built on what is now the football field in the eastern corner of the site, once home to Harry Hunt Junior High. Frank D. Lawrence Stadium will be torn down. Athletic fields - including a football field with bleachers for 5,000 people - will be built west of the school.
The design change adds at least $250,000 to the project. Altogether, it will cost an estimated $32.5 million to complete, but that figure doesn't include the cost of acquiring land near the proposed baseball field and other miscellaneous expenses.
The administration agreed to cut spending for Norcom's technology and equipment by $1 million to reduce overall costs.
The council will vote on its capital improvement plan in January.
Mayor Gloria O. Webb and Vice Mayor Johnny M. Clemons told the board that the new design had gained support from the I.C. Norcom Alumni Association, most council members and others involved in the project.
David C. Sanford, the association's president, said he would have preferred to keep the stadium intact. But getting the school built is the main priority, he said.
The new design is part of consultant Ray Gindroz's 10-year master plan for Portsmouth. His aim was to make better use of the land while creating a more attractive package for the school, officials said. Norcom's capacity will remain at about 1,800 students.
For two years, Norcom's football team, which now uses the Lawrence stadium, will have to play elsewhere in the city.
Board members Richard B. Crawford, Evelyn P. Hyman and Louise G. Walden did not attend Monday's special meeting. Lawrence W. I'Anson Jr. and Ray A. Smith Sr. voted against the switch.
I'Anson said he was ``a little reluctant to cut technology in order to do the aesthetics thing.''
Smith said because he received most of the plan's details Monday, he had too little time to digest them.
CLARKE RENOVATION: The board voted unanimously to award a contract worth about $138,600 to Clark-Smith Associates of Norfolk. The company will oversee the renovation of Clarke, which will open next fall as S.H. Clarke Community Academy for elementary students.
The school, built nearly 40 years ago, is crumbling. It will get new heating and air- conditioning systems, windows and restrooms. The district plans to spend $1.8 million to refurbish Clarke. Superintendent Richard D. Trumble said more than half of the money - $1 million - will be set aside this school year.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH SCHOOL BOARD PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS by CNB