Architects present $23.3 million renovation plan for Jefferson Elementary; recommend 60-day asbestos abatement

Blankenship & Partners Architects and Planners told the Jefferson County Board of Education that renovating Jefferson Elementary would likely cost about $23,330,000 and require removal of hazardous materials before other work begins.

Bill Blankenship, principal with Blankenship & Partners Architects and Planners, presented a facility analysis and said the project’s estimated hard costs total about $19,900,000, with $3,400,000 in soft costs, for a project footprint of 71,192 square feet and an estimated $262 per square foot for existing‑building renovation. “All hazardous materials. All hazardous materials. I can't stress that enough,” Blankenship said when urging abatement before renovation work.

Why it matters: the renovation would affect students and staff at Jefferson Elementary and related school moves discussed in the meeting (a JCHS pod plan and potential relocations). Blankenship told the board the earliest practical start for hazardous‑materials abatement would be this coming summer, and the abatement firm estimated about 60 days to complete that work; contractors and design work would need to be in place before work can start.

Key details from the presentation: Blankenship’s team listed site work ($250,000) and a primary existing‑building renovation cost of $18,700,000. The total hard cost shown was $19,900,000 with a 5% contingency; the soft costs line was $3,400,000. The consultant team described a phased construction schedule that would do wings and targeted areas in stages from summer 2025 through late 2026, with several smaller scope items possible in summer 2027. Blankenship said hazardous‑material removal is “a good opening” to do during summer break so students and staff are not on site while abatement occurs.

Presenters said most structural elements are sound but aging. Jolee Fowler, the structural engineer on the team, flagged one gymnasium corner with visible cracks and a precast element that “needs to be studied a little bit more” before work proceeds in that area. Blankenship said most masonry cracking is surface weathering and that the building is “structurally sound.”

The presentation addressed mechanical and kitchen capacity: the high school and other campus spaces would require additional kitchen, freezer and cooler capacity if enrollment shifts occur. The report also recommended adding restroom access, locker rooms and elevator access for a proposed JCHS pod and described classroom, technology and playground needs if Jefferson Elementary moves to the former middle school building.

Board members asked about rooftop HVAC units and roof structural capacity; Blankenship and the structural engineer said a responsible engineering review is required before placing large rooftop units and that strengthening could be needed if the roof cannot support the load. The architects also confirmed that much of the existing glass is single‑pane and called out security and insulation upgrades as part of any renovation.

No formal board vote was taken during the presentation. Blankenship quoted a project preparation fee of $50,000 for the work presented. He and his team recommended moving forward with hazardous‑materials abatement and then completing design and contracting steps; final decisions and any contract awards would require additional board action and county commission approval where funding or new positions are involved.