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Polk City council approves site plan work and demolition for Big Creek Schoolhouse parcel
Summary
Council approved a professional services agreement with Snyder and Associates (not to exceed $11,500) and authorized demolition of the north addition of the former Big Creek Schoolhouse (not to exceed $57,000). The Big Creek Historical Society urged better documentation and timing for grant applications.
Polk City’s council on Nov. 24 approved planning work and a demolition authorization for the parcel that includes the former Big Creek Schoolhouse, moving forward on a project staff said will clear a small lean-to structure adjacent to Police Drive.
Chelsea, a city planning staff member, asked the council to approve a professional services agreement with Snyder and Associates to prepare a site plan and a plat/survey not to exceed $11,500. The council then approved a demolition project for the north addition with a not-to-exceed authorization of $57,000; staff estimates for demolition (excluding professional services) were described as closer to $42,000.
In public comment, Roxanna Curry, president of the Big Creek Historical Society, urged improved coordination and documentation for restoration work, saying grant cycles generally run January through May and that she would need concrete project facts “by March 1st” to prepare an application for the state historical society grant. Curry also said grant applicants must show a certified historic preservationist’s credentials and requested records of what materials and millwork contractors used so future alterations can be identified as original or replaced.
Public works staff (Mike) described the planned removal as focused on the lean-to structure on the police-drive side—not the newer city hall addition—and said the department expects to perform much of the work in-house. Staff noted utilities and systems that require attention during removal, including a water line to be cut and identified, HVAC units to be removed and reinstalled at ground level, and asbestos-containing linoleum in a small bathroom that will be abated by contractors.
Council members expressed support for partnering with the historical society and asked that the society be included in documentation and future planning. One council member estimated using city crews could save about half the cost versus hiring outside contractors; staff emphasized that contingencies were the reason for the higher not-to-exceed figure.
Roll calls recorded for the professional services agreement (Savage yes; Walters abstain; Bogle yes; Otis yes; Sirette yes) and for the demolition authorization (motion carried with council members voting yes). The council directed staff to proceed with the site-plan agreement and demolition authorization; staff said further site-planning detail and timing will follow as the professional services work and site survey proceed.
