Hamilton Central eyes nearly $40 million capital project, including new bus garage and site safety upgrades

Consultants hired by the district presented detailed plans for a two-part capital project that would renovate the K–12 building and reconfigure the site, including demolishing the district’s aging bus garage and building a new transportation facility with concessions and public restrooms.

The presentation, led by consultants during the board’s Sept. 11 meeting, described Proposition 1 as focused on the K–12 building — windows, accessibility upgrades, auditorium modernization (including stage and house lighting, rigging, sound and adding air conditioning) — and Proposition 2 as a site-focused package that depends on Proposition 1 passing and would address circulation, parking and a new bus garage.

Consultants emphasized safety and long-term durability. “Our goal is to replace the field lighting with LED fixtures” while retaining structurally sound poles, one presenter said, and the auditorium work would include updated rigging, assistive listening systems and HVAC to improve thermal comfort for performances and rehearsals. On site circulation, landscape architect Patrick Costello described separating parent drop-off from bus traffic, adding an elevated pedestrian crosswalk and increasing main-lot parking from about 145 to roughly 160 spaces to reduce congestion.

The proposed bus garage would include multiple maintenance bays, a bus wash, driver support spaces, storage and a concessions/ticketing area adjacent to the stadium. Consultants told the board that State Education Department (SED) officials have approved the demolition and construction of the new bus garage as aid-eligible work, but that approximately 18% of the proposed building was initially deemed ineligible for building aid; consultants said they are negotiating that percentage and argued that site work should be treated more favorably.

On costs, the consultants presented conservative aidability estimates and a project total “just under 40,000,000,” with New York State building aid covering roughly $27,000,000 and a local share around $12.8 million for the combined propositions. They recommended phasing work, aligning final design with the district’s maximum cost-allowance reset in early 2027, and filing the necessary lead-agency and vote-establishing resolutions in October so the project could advance toward a December vote.

Public questions centered on acoustic systems, how air conditioning would be achieved in the auditorium and how elevated crosswalks will control traffic during dismissal; the consultants said detailed design will follow voter approval and noted SED restricts deep design work prior to voter authorization. The consultants also noted provisions in the site plan intended to ease future transition to electric buses, including space for overnight parking and infrastructure for future chargers.

The board did not vote on the propositions at the Sept. 11 meeting; consultants said next steps include final negotiations with SED on aidability, fiscal-advisor work on financing details, and public communications ahead of the expected resolution and vote schedule.