Kingsport awards architectural‑engineering contract for Lynnview elementary site; council asks to plan reuse of old schools

The Kingsport City Council on Jan. 20 authorized an agreement with Thompson & Litton Inc. for architectural and engineering services related to a proposed new Lynnview elementary school and associated work at the Lynnview Community Center site.

City staff said the contract covers phase‑one work — schematic design, site survey, traffic impact study, geotechnical investigation and an environmental review of existing buildings — under a proposed fee of $644,067. Staff characterized this action as the first step in a multi‑phase capital project that will later come to the council as part of a capital budget submission.

During discussion Alderman George and other members asked staff to include an explicit plan for the disposition and reuse of facilities that would be impacted by the school consolidation. Council members said they did not want to construct a new school without a plan for what would happen to the vacated buildings and their programming. City staff responded they will evaluate reuse for educational purposes, residential or commercial redevelopment and opportunities to preserve after‑hours community access in the new school design.

Council approved the resolution to award the contract by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously. Staff indicated the district will front some engineering costs with the expectation of reimbursement from bond proceeds when the bond issuance occurs. The resolution directs staff to proceed with the Phase‑1 work and to return with more detailed cost and road improvement information as the project progresses.