Blair
The Norfolk school administration will evaluate the following bids for the renovation and expansion of Blair Middle School, opened Feb. 24, and is expected to make a decision on them next week:
Whittacker Construction………………………………..$39,478,050
W. M. Jordan Co…………………………………………….. 32,690,000
Turner Construction Co…………………………………..28,494,556
There were 4 Alternate bids. Those by Turner the apparent low bidder were:
Alternate No. 1 [New DDC control systems]……………………………………..$ 29,000
Alternate No. 2 [Granite steps rather than concrete]……………………………………….11,000
Alternate No. 3 [Stamped concrete paving patterns]………………………………………118,000
Alternate No. 4 [Mutins in windows]………………………………………. 88,000
Spare Blair Middle School!
The Norfolk School Board is considering tearing down Blair Middle School. Your help is needed to let the city leadership know that this is not in the best interest of our children, our community or our city.
Blair, which has educated thousands of students at its present location for more than 80 years, is an integral part of the community and part of its historic character. The Ghent Neighborhood League has expressed this position to the city leaders clearly and repeatedly through letters, phone calls, e-mails and attendance at numerous city meetings held on Blair for the past three years.
The Ghent Neighborhood League has remained steadfast in its belief that a renovated Blair is the only answer to our children’s education and the well-being of our community. The school board agreed and promised that Blair would be renovated as a first-rate educational facility.
The recently proposed abandonment of Blair is financially, functionally and politically irresponsible. Blair, with a design life measured in centuries, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places Virginia’s Landmark Register. It can be renovated cost-effectively if the school board and the city choose to do so.
Norfolk’s leadership now appears to be toying with the idea of demolishing the school and building a new one. In the process, it has inflated the cost estimates for Blair’s renovation, leading to the false impression that it is fiscally sound to abandon any thoughts of renovation.
John Fowler, a consultant to the Norfolk School Board, told the school board on August 20, 2003, that:
- It was the school administration itself that caused the accelerated costs for Blair’s renovation by mandating that students stay on campus during the renovation period. This would require:
– The construction of a temporary gym and temporary cafeteria
– Moving portable buildings and, presumably, installing sewer and water connections, electrical lines, walkways, etc.
– Working around the students during school hours
– A large liquidated damage allowance, therefore increasing the complexity of the job
– The political climate surrounding the Blair issue reduced the usual number of bidders
- At a total cost of nearly $30 million, the new addition structure would have a design life of only 40 or 50 years
- A temporary relocation of students would negate practically all extra expenses
Please contact: CITY
Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim
757.461.2500 ccouncil@norfolk.gov
City Councilman Barclay Winn
757.494.1400 ccouncil@norfolk.gov
City Manager Regina Williams
757.664.4242
SCHOOL BOARD
Chairman Dr. Theresa Whibley
757.623.3845 drwhib@aol.com
Vice Chair Anne G. Dodson
757.853.5583 adodson2@nps.k12.va.us
Barry C. Bishop 757.622.4553
GNC@GNC.HRCOXMAIL.com
Wilson B. Dodson III 757.627.1353
wdodson@infionline.net
Alveta V. Green 757.855.3928
walveta@aol.com
Algie T. Howell Jr. 757.461.8490
athowell2@aol.com
Marlies Landry 757.588.2028
marlieslandry@cox.net. |