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Board approves amended scope for River Bluff High press box, allocates up to $280,000 from 2018 bond funds
Summary
After hearing two engineering options to stabilize a shifting press box — a lower‑cost lateral tieback and a more extensive teardown-and-steel‑frame approach — the board approved an amended scope to remove masonry wing walls and proceed with a steel‑framed repair at a total authorization not to exceed $280,000 from 2018 bond referendum funds.
The Lexington 1 board on Sept. 16 authorized an amended scope for repairs to the River Bluff High School press box that will remove existing masonry wing walls and replace them with a steel frame and foundation support, allocating up to $280,000 from 2018 bond referendum funds to cover the work.
Facilities staff recapped the project and presented two options after the board approved initial work in July. The first option would use lateral stabilization measures to tie the existing masonry wing walls to the press box and was presented as less expensive but without a guarantee against future movement; the second option would remove the masonry walls, install a lighter steel frame with X‑bracing, and provide added foundation support. The district’s structural engineer described how the masonry wing walls exert large vertical loads on compacted soil and said removal and replacement with steel would reduce vertical load and wind shear and provide greater long‑term stability.
The second option carried a higher budget estimate — roughly $125,000 more than the prior scope — because it includes demolition, steel erection, scaffolding, shoring, disposal costs and a contractor’s mobilization. Board members questioned the price difference, contingencies, timetable, and whether the press box area remains safe for occupancy; engineers and staff responded that the facility is currently safe for use but that option 2 offers stronger assurance against future settlement and would be completed in an off‑season window, with construction likely in winter and a month to six weeks of on‑site work.
Trustee Miss Shealy moved and the board amended the motion to allocate up to $280,000 in 2018 bond referendum funds to expand the previously approved scope to remove the wing wall structures; the motion passed by voice vote after discussion and confirmation that the total authorization includes previously‑allocated funds. Trustees requested that staff return with contractor estimates and final scopes and noted that safety and public‑spectator risk should guide the final selection of bids.
The board did not name a contractor at the meeting; staff characterized the numbers presented as budget estimates rather than firm quotes and said they would return with more detailed bids and contingency recommendations before executing final contracts.
