Assembly approves $150,000 to study Marie Drake options after concerns about asbestos‑containing HVAC wing
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Summary
The assembly authorized up to $150,000 for public outreach and schematic planning on Marie Drake options after staff reported asbestos‑related HVAC issues in the classroom wing and presented partial‑demolition and abatement scenarios.
On Feb. 24 the Committee of the Whole approved introducing an ordinance to fund planning and public outreach work — up to $150,000 — to refine cost estimates and public input on options for Marie Drake School, including partial demolition of classrooms and retention of the gym and planetarium.
Manager Koester reviewed the background: the classroom wing has HVAC and ducting with asbestos‑containing materials that require full abatement before substantial renovation. Staff reported no airborne asbestos was detected in surveys, but contractors concluded that disturbing the current ducts would trigger full abatement requirements. The public works and facilities committee previously recommended exploring an option that would demolish roughly 80% of the classroom wing while preserving the gym, planetarium and some shop spaces. That option would create roughly 93 parking spaces and allow relocation of building maintenance operations currently housed offsite.
Costs and scope: staff provided rough order‑of‑magnitude figures. A full demolition/repurposing option was modeled at roughly $10.2 million total project cost in earlier materials; minimum abatement to enable HVAC replacement and limited reuse was estimated at about $2.8 million. Manager Koester said the requested $150,000 would fund public outreach and schematic‑level planning similar to earlier civic‑center engagement work, yielding refined costs and designs.
Why this matters: Marie Drake is a neighborhood facility with sentimental value; the gym and planetarium were high priorities for retention in public comments. Assemblymembers expressed concern about demolition of a school and asked staff to evaluate alternatives, including abatement and reuse scenarios, and to consider whether childcare or other services could be located in remaining space. Several members said they supported additional study but urged careful outreach given the community interest in the building.
Assembly decision: the committee approved introducing an ordinance to fund outreach and schematic work (motion carried 8–1). Manager Koester said staff will use the funds to refine options, conduct public outreach, and return to the assembly with updated cost estimates and designs.
