Post by soon2bwvhs on Oct 26, 2007 4:27:28 GMT -6
Dist. 204 can't afford Metea site
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 10/26/2007 12:14 AM
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 cannot afford to build Metea Valley High School on the Brach-Brodie site as planned, the school board said Thursday.
It is now asking the court for a new trial in hopes of getting a lower price tag than the $31 million a jury set last month for the 55 acres off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora. The price is $17 million more than what the district anticipated.
"Given the growth in material costs and anticipated labor cost increases, the only options for building on Brach-Brodie within the available proceeds involves substantial reductions in the building, such as eliminating the pool or the athletic facilities," board President Mark Metzger said. "We believe the community expects Metea to be a full-featured facility, making those options unacceptable."
In 2006, voters approved a $124.7 million tax hike to pay for the new school. The school board has already promised not to ask for additional money for the project but said it has an extra $17 million to $20 million available from land cash donations, bond proceeds and interest that can be used if necessary. Even with this additional money, Metzger said Thursday the Brach-Brodie property is too expensive at the jury's price.
Indian Prairie, which includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, already owns 25 acres at the site and hoped to purchase the additional land to create an 80-acre campus for Metea.
District officials say a third high school is needed to relieve crowding at Neuqua and Waubonsie Valley high schools.
Because the district could not reach an agreement on price with the Brach-Brodie trust, the decision was put in the hands of a jury, which said the land is worth about $518,000 an acre, more than double the district's estimate of $250,000 an acre. Since then, the district has been reconsidering its options.
But the Brach-Brodie site is not entirely off the table. On Thursday, attorneys for the district filed a post-trial motion asking for a new trial. Metzger said the district took issue with certain aspects of the original trial, such as evidence and witnesses that were allowed to be included, and some that were excluded. He believes a new trial is in order and could yield a lower price for the property.
The district's original deadline to decide whether to purchase the land was originally set for today, but filing a post-trial motion extends that deadline until the court rules on that motion.
Although a new trial could be time consuming and expensive, Metzger said the potential cost pales in comparison to the current cost of the property set by the jury. Even though there are other possible sites for the school, he believes pursuing the Brach-Brodie site is still worthwhile.
"Each has negative aspects that cause them to be ranked below Brach-Brodie," he said. "Except for the price, Brach-Brodie was and continues to be the least-wrong site."
It could be several months before a judge decides whether to grant a new trial. In the meantime, the district will continue to explore three other possible sites for Metea, though Metzger said disclosing those sites would be harmful to ongoing negotiations.
Construction was supposed to start at least six months ago and the district will not be breaking ground on any property this fall, according to Metzger. However, he said a 2009 opening as originally planned is not entirely off the table.
The board will likely hold another meeting next week to continue to discuss its options.
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 10/26/2007 12:14 AM
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 cannot afford to build Metea Valley High School on the Brach-Brodie site as planned, the school board said Thursday.
It is now asking the court for a new trial in hopes of getting a lower price tag than the $31 million a jury set last month for the 55 acres off Route 59 near 75th Street and Commons Drive in Aurora. The price is $17 million more than what the district anticipated.
"Given the growth in material costs and anticipated labor cost increases, the only options for building on Brach-Brodie within the available proceeds involves substantial reductions in the building, such as eliminating the pool or the athletic facilities," board President Mark Metzger said. "We believe the community expects Metea to be a full-featured facility, making those options unacceptable."
In 2006, voters approved a $124.7 million tax hike to pay for the new school. The school board has already promised not to ask for additional money for the project but said it has an extra $17 million to $20 million available from land cash donations, bond proceeds and interest that can be used if necessary. Even with this additional money, Metzger said Thursday the Brach-Brodie property is too expensive at the jury's price.
Indian Prairie, which includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, already owns 25 acres at the site and hoped to purchase the additional land to create an 80-acre campus for Metea.
District officials say a third high school is needed to relieve crowding at Neuqua and Waubonsie Valley high schools.
Because the district could not reach an agreement on price with the Brach-Brodie trust, the decision was put in the hands of a jury, which said the land is worth about $518,000 an acre, more than double the district's estimate of $250,000 an acre. Since then, the district has been reconsidering its options.
But the Brach-Brodie site is not entirely off the table. On Thursday, attorneys for the district filed a post-trial motion asking for a new trial. Metzger said the district took issue with certain aspects of the original trial, such as evidence and witnesses that were allowed to be included, and some that were excluded. He believes a new trial is in order and could yield a lower price for the property.
The district's original deadline to decide whether to purchase the land was originally set for today, but filing a post-trial motion extends that deadline until the court rules on that motion.
Although a new trial could be time consuming and expensive, Metzger said the potential cost pales in comparison to the current cost of the property set by the jury. Even though there are other possible sites for the school, he believes pursuing the Brach-Brodie site is still worthwhile.
"Each has negative aspects that cause them to be ranked below Brach-Brodie," he said. "Except for the price, Brach-Brodie was and continues to be the least-wrong site."
It could be several months before a judge decides whether to grant a new trial. In the meantime, the district will continue to explore three other possible sites for Metea, though Metzger said disclosing those sites would be harmful to ongoing negotiations.
Construction was supposed to start at least six months ago and the district will not be breaking ground on any property this fall, according to Metzger. However, he said a 2009 opening as originally planned is not entirely off the table.
The board will likely hold another meeting next week to continue to discuss its options.
Even if it did wouldn't the new price of the land (assuming it were lower) be eaten up by legal costs, delays, etc.? Move on from the run-away train NOW!!! BB is not in our budget and that has been proven. Plus at what point will the SB admit that there isn't a chance for a 2009 opening? MM always likes to make comments leaving the door open to that possibility but I just can't imagine how that could happen.
