Davidson IB School-Public Facilities transition starting to take shape

On of the controversial items left over from the previous Davidson Board was the idea of spending millions on a new Town Hall and public safety facilities without putting the decision before the voters.

Fortunately for taxpayers who absolutely deserve a right to vote on this type of large expenditure, the new Board put that idea on hold for 90 days while it investigated other options.  Now, a little mote than 60 days into that "pause" details of a new plan to possibly sign a long term lease with CMS and revitalize the old Davidson IB School on South Street turning it into Town and CMS offices is starting to take shape.

This coming Tuesday, Creech and Associates will present options for this plan at the Board Work Session.  Here are the 2 main proposals:

Costs for these options will not be presented but according to the documents available, they will also consider renovations to the gymnasium on the site. That would be a significantly positive addition to the original plans for puting these facilities on Main Street.

The next steps in the schedule are:

• April 24, 2018 Creech and Associates present results of Phase I: "test-fit" sketches. Consider funding for Phase II. 
• May 22, 2018 Creech and Associates present results of Phase II: mechanical/structural assessments for board information. 
• June 12, 2018 Creech/Edifice present preliminary cost estimate for renovation of IB School and gym, and enlarged renovation of existing town hall. Board considers adoption of three resolutions for GO Bond referendum: 1) to publish notice of intent, 2) to apply to LGC, and 3) to accept findings of fact. (The resolutions are not a final decision on GO Bonds, just advance work in case the board approves the referendum in August)

After several more steps in addition to those outlined above, this would set the stage for a GO Bond vote in November to advance the project.  Assuming all deadlines are met for a November bond vote and that they pass, preliminary construction dates would have renovations on the South Street site complete by June 2020 with the existing Town Hall renovated for public safety by April 2021.