District updates board on bond projects; North transportation hub and Oakwood Manor among projects in design

Doctor Evans told the board the district will bring the North Transportation Hub (a 2022 bond project) to the board for consideration in September, and described it as a maintenance and fueling facility located on the north side of the Staley High School campus.

Design sketches shown to the board indicate the transportation hub will include a fueling station, maintenance and wash bays and administrative space; materials were designed to visually match Staley High School, the presentation said. Doctor Evans noted the hub’s distance from nearby houses and said there would be a buffer between the facility and residential properties.

Administrators said most 2025 bond expenditures so far have been tied to the Northland Innovation Center (NIC) purchase and that major projects under active design include performing-arts centers at Oak Park and Winnetonka and renovations at Oakwood Manor. Oakwood Manor’s gym addition and administrative updates were discussed; the transcript notes Oakwood Manor was approved earlier on the agenda as part of consent items.

District facilities staff also reported smaller summer projects across schools (flooring, restroom repairs, partial rooftop unit replacements) totaling more than $8 million in combined work and showed photos of two inclusive-playground additions at Davidson and Belle Prairie.

Administrators said NIC signage and branding work has begun and that project timelines for transportation and Oakwood Manor will be presented to the board for approval in coming months.