The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-2 last week to demolish the primary and elementary schools, but to leave the elementary gym and its east wing for potential renovation.
Members Jerry Lapp and Scott Rossman, who would take down all the buildings, voted in opposition.
Demolition of the primary building and elementary school’s west wing is scheduled to be complete by Nov. 6. Dawson Construction won the job with a bid of $564,000. Money secured through the Department of Education will pay for two-thirds of the project, with the remainder funded mostly through the borough’s capital projects fund.
Assembly members voting to save the buildings pointed to a written plea from a citizens’ group seeking a recreation center, the need for more space for school activities, and estimates that a new construction would cost nearly twice as much as renovation.
“Tearing those buildings down doesn’t make any sense unless we have a plan to build another structure there. Let’s give it to the Well and Fit (Community Council),” said member Norm Smith.
Smith cited a $2.5 million estimate for renovation, compared to $4 million for replacement.
Joanne Waterman argued there was a need for space for after-school programs and said the gym building also could provide for other community needs. “Our young adults and children need ways to stimulate themselves other than through recreational drugs and alcohol.”
Rossman said a recreation center could happen without the building. “If we give away (the school buildings), we’re still going to be paying the heat, maintenance and everything else.”
Rossman also questioned the savings from renovation and expressed doubts that funds could be found for such a project.
“By the time we get around to renovating it, I don’t believe it could be done cheaper… If it’s 2.5 million or four million, five years from now, where is the 2.5 million? Where does it come from?”
Borough manager Mark Earnest said securing grant funds for renovation of the building would be difficult and that getting money through the Alaska Legislature would be a long shot. Other possible grant funding sources include Native American health money and a local ballot question. “There is a path, but it is a tough one.”
The borough asked bidders to submit estimates both for taking down all the buildings and for leaving the gym and east wing. Maynard estimated that tearing down the buildings later would cost $20,000 more than the price for the job now, mostly for mobilization.
The discussion also included moving the Chilkat Valley Preschool into the renovated structure. Smith said the change would allow the borough to demolish the aging Human Resources Building, a former school building on First Avenue dating to 1905.
“Getting rid of that building is a bigger liability than the elementary gym,” said assemblyman Smith. “That gym is worth money.”