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Crews ready for new structures at USD 234 sites
As site work continues at four USD 234 schools as part of the district's $40.8 million school bond projects, buildings could start taking shape in the coming weeks and months.
Work to move dirt and prepare sites for future structures has taken place in recent months. Projects at all four district schools include construction of new high-wind shelters, secure entries and various remodels, upgrades and improvements.
Tony Mutzbauer, superintendent with Nabholz Construction Services of Olathe, the construction manager for the bond projects, said Friday workers are currently excavating for footings, pouring concrete and preparing to start underground utility work Monday at Winfield Scott School.
Mutzbauer, who is overseeing work at the kindergarten through second grade school, said work will begin Monday on electrical, storm water and sanitary lines, with concrete for reinforced walls being poured starting Tuesday.
"The pre-cast (concrete) sits on top of the stem wall," he said. "We're moving forward."
Another upcoming project is work on electrical distribution to the school, Mutzbauer said.
"The big thing is next week, electrical distribution," he said. "Three electrical poles will be taken down in the next week or two. All power lines will be going underground and will be upgraded ... everything will be lowered."
Mutzbauer said this electrical work should benefit city fire and emergency responders.
"The main data line feeds all of Winfield Scott," he said. "It will be underground and relocated so it's out of the way. The fire chief will be able to drive equipment in here in an emergency. There will be no overhead lines."
The structure to be built on the east side of the school will be a new addition that will include a cafeteria and kitchen, as well as two new bathrooms. The building will also serve as a high-wind shelter, Mutzbauer said.
"It's all usable space," he said.
Concrete being poured recently is for foundations and slab on grade, which is flooring. Mutzbauer said workers should begin setting pre-cast concrete for the building structure by the week of April 20.
"Everything's on schedule," he said. "Actually, we're a little ahead of schedule. By the end of April, the pre-cast walls will go up."
Mutzbauer also said pouring of concrete for footings is currently taking place at Eugene Ware School, and will continue next week, when pouring of concrete for stem walls is also expected to start.
Brian Caskey, site superintendent with Nabholz, is overseeing projects at Fort Scott High School, Eugene Ware and Fort Scott Middle School.
Caskey said site and demo work continues at the high school, with plans in place for a new one-story math and science wing to be built where the old Juco wing once stood. Other work at the high school will include construction of two new math rooms and a new auxiliary gym on the northeast corner of the school.
"We broke ground on math rooms at the high school," Caskey said Friday. "We'll break ground in about two weeks on the auxiliary gym. We also broke ground at the middle school. Things are ramping up."
Future work at the high school will include remodels of the electrical and mechanical systems at the high school. Caskey said work will continue over the summer when students are out of school.
"We're looking for a big summer after kids are out of school," he said.
Workers have done some digging on the east parking lot at the high school in preparation for construction of the auxiliary gym, which will be built onto the existing gym. A large mound of dirt currently in that parking lot will be used as fill dirt for construction of the new gym, Caskey said. Two new math rooms at the high school will be built on the southeast side of the high school.
"We've also chopped some big holes for the new administration and science wing," Caskey said. "We've started some interior demo in areas the school doesn't use everyday."
Most of the east parking lot at the high school has been fenced off for future construction. The fences include gates that will open to allow parking for teachers and some school officials. Caskey said there will still be about 40 parking slots available there for student parking. Students will also be able to park in a temporary parking lot across Main Street from the high school.