School asks Georgetown to back Pinecrest parking expansion; council wants drainage and traffic plans

Mrs. Neal, a presenter representing the school, asked the Georgetown City Council on Nov. 3 to support a planned expansion of the Pinecrest parking lot and to commit 30% of the project funding so the district could apply for a matching grant.

"We have good reserves but are deficit spending," Mrs. Neal said, explaining that reduced state reimbursements mean the school needs local backing to move the project forward. She said the expanded lot could accommodate up to 85 cars and that the school had received construction bids ranging from $104,000 to $186,000, with Prairieland Drainage submitting the lowest bid.

Council members raised traffic and drainage concerns. Ald. Robert Weaver asked whether restoring bus service had been considered; Mrs. Neal replied the district follows state guidelines and only receives state reimbursement for students living at least 1.5 miles from school. Mayor Darin Readnour asked Mrs. Neal to provide specific drainage plans for city review and said the materials should be submitted to the city before officials could support the grant application.

The council tabled the item pending the requested information. The motion to table was made by Ald. Nick Krabel, seconded by Ald. Robert Weaver, and passed unanimously 7–0.

Why it matters: The expansion is intended to reduce traffic congestion and improve student pickup safety, but council members declined to commit fiscal support without details on stormwater management and the project’s effects on public right-of-way. The school is seeking grant funding that requires a local funding commitment to be included in the application.

Next steps: The council asked the school to submit drainage plans and additional project details for review; the item will return to a future meeting once the city has had an opportunity to review the documentation.