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Lawrence Township presents $175 million facilities "transformation" plan; public hearings to continue
Summary
District staff told the MSD Lawrence Township board that a proposed "transformation" of facilities would cost an estimated $175,000,000 and that the board will hold additional required public hearings before a June resolution; legal counsel summarized notice and hearing requirements under Indiana law.
MSD Lawrence Township officials presented a preliminary scope and cost estimate for a proposed district facilities "transformation" project and opened a required public hearing on the plan.
At the hearing Matt Miles, who led the project presentation, gave a high-level cost estimate: "The total cost, estimates of the project are a $175,000,000," and described the work as a district-scale effort comparable to recent high-school renovations. He said the proposal would also fund districtwide HVAC upgrades at early learning centers and elementary schools (estimated at just over $12,000,000) and roofing work estimated at about $12,900,000.
Legal counsel Jeff Quackenbush of Barnes & Thornburg told the board that the district is following the public-hearing process required by Indiana law. "The notice for the public hearings was published in both newspapers, at least 10 days in advance as required by Indiana law," he said, and he explained that the second public hearing in June will precede presentation of a resolution for board action. Quackenbush emphasized there would be no vote on the resolution during the current meeting.
Miles said the district views the centerpiece work as a transformation at McKinsey (described in the presentation slides as a dramatic renovation) and that the broader financing will also cover smaller, districtwide capital needs. He said the district anticipates multiple public meetings through the summer and aims to complete the outlined steps by September.
Dr. Grant Nesbitt and members of the project design team were introduced and present to answer technical questions. Board members were invited to ask questions about scope and financing; the presenters said they would follow the scope presentation with a separate financing presentation and then open the hearing for public comment.
Next steps: the board will hold at least one additional public hearing in June and then, following the second hearing, will consider a resolution at a June 8 meeting. No formal action or vote on the resolution occurred at this session.
