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Concerns arise over proposed MCAS projects
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - The county prosecutor and some Coolspring Elementary School employees voiced concerns Tuesday night over new parking lots planned for Michigan City High School and Coolspring.
Rob Beckman, speaking as a private resident of 8515 Pahs Road, across the street from Michigan City High School, told the Michigan City Area Schools board he believes building a new parking lot in the front yard of the high school will dump even more water onto his property and that of his neighbors.
Beckman last month threatened to sue city and county agencies over drainage issues. In a letter, he served legal notice of his intent and concern about a new parking lot at the high school.
"I don't know if it will (turn into a lawsuit)," he told The News-Dispatch.
Theo Boone, MCAS business manager, said both parking-lot projects stem from a 2005 Indiana State Police safety audit.
Engineers from the Abonmarche Group, South Bend, drew the plans, and the discussion was sparked by the administration's recommendation of awarding a bid for the work to Rieth-Riley, La Porte, the low bidder on both projects. The corporation also offered a $20,000 deduction for awarding both bids at once.
John Linn, Abonmarche president and chief executive officer, said the plan is to use a detention pond to control the flow of water into the ditches. The ponds at their deepest would be 3 feet.
The drainage would have no effect on Beckman's property, Linn said, but for neighbors to the east, he said, the controlled release of surface water, especially during severe weather events, would provide a benefit. They would see less water than they do now, he said.
The purpose of moving the parking lot is to provide smoother traffic flow on school days and at big events, such as graduation and sectional games, MCAS Superintendent Michael Harding said.
Also, it will allow school authorities better control over who enters the building and where they enter. Remodeling the parking lot has been in the making since the middle schools and high school were remodeled two years ago.
At Coolspring, traffic and access drove the parking-lot issue as well.
Those who park in front of Coolspring now back out to County Road 300 North. Those parking spaces will be gone with the new design.
Board member Nathaniel Gipson is overjoyed to see the remodeling.
"For years, I have said this was an accident waiting to happen," Gipson said.
The new plan will totally separate bus traffic from the traffic of the 50 or so parents who drop their parents at the school.
Representing Coolspring staff, secretary Kathy Schroll worried about teachers who carry so many supplies who now will be walking farther to the building, and also about teachers who stay late to work, often leaving after dark.
The parking lots will be lighted, Linn said.
"And no one said teachers will be forced to park at the back of the lot," Harding said.
The new plan actually adds 11 spaces, bringing the number to 81.
The board awarded the $1,382,837 contract, with board president Jeff Jones and members Gipson, Kathy Lee and Carlson voting for it, Jim Kintzele and Beryle Burgwald voting against and Clyde Zeek abstaining.
Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - The county prosecutor and some Coolspring Elementary School employees voiced concerns Tuesday night over new parking lots planned for Michigan City High School and Coolspring.
Rob Beckman, speaking as a private resident of 8515 Pahs Road, across the street from Michigan City High School, told the Michigan City Area Schools board he believes building a new parking lot in the front yard of the high school will dump even more water onto his property and that of his neighbors.
Beckman last month threatened to sue city and county agencies over drainage issues. In a letter, he served legal notice of his intent and concern about a new parking lot at the high school.
"I don't know if it will (turn into a lawsuit)," he told The News-Dispatch.
Theo Boone, MCAS business manager, said both parking-lot projects stem from a 2005 Indiana State Police safety audit.
Engineers from the Abonmarche Group, South Bend, drew the plans, and the discussion was sparked by the administration's recommendation of awarding a bid for the work to Rieth-Riley, La Porte, the low bidder on both projects. The corporation also offered a $20,000 deduction for awarding both bids at once.
John Linn, Abonmarche president and chief executive officer, said the plan is to use a detention pond to control the flow of water into the ditches. The ponds at their deepest would be 3 feet.
The drainage would have no effect on Beckman's property, Linn said, but for neighbors to the east, he said, the controlled release of surface water, especially during severe weather events, would provide a benefit. They would see less water than they do now, he said.
The purpose of moving the parking lot is to provide smoother traffic flow on school days and at big events, such as graduation and sectional games, MCAS Superintendent Michael Harding said.
Also, it will allow school authorities better control over who enters the building and where they enter. Remodeling the parking lot has been in the making since the middle schools and high school were remodeled two years ago.
At Coolspring, traffic and access drove the parking-lot issue as well.
Those who park in front of Coolspring now back out to County Road 300 North. Those parking spaces will be gone with the new design.
Board member Nathaniel Gipson is overjoyed to see the remodeling.
"For years, I have said this was an accident waiting to happen," Gipson said.
The new plan will totally separate bus traffic from the traffic of the 50 or so parents who drop their parents at the school.
Representing Coolspring staff, secretary Kathy Schroll worried about teachers who carry so many supplies who now will be walking farther to the building, and also about teachers who stay late to work, often leaving after dark.
The parking lots will be lighted, Linn said.
"And no one said teachers will be forced to park at the back of the lot," Harding said.
The new plan actually adds 11 spaces, bringing the number to 81.
The board awarded the $1,382,837 contract, with board president Jeff Jones and members Gipson, Kathy Lee and Carlson voting for it, Jim Kintzele and Beryle Burgwald voting against and Clyde Zeek abstaining.