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Board approves demolition of two former schools and awards Fairplane East roof contract
Summary
Trustees approved asbestos abatement and demolition contracts for the former Bar and Martindale schools and awarded a replacement roof contract for Fairplane East Elementary; combined actions total roughly $643,444 from sinking/facilities funds.
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board approved three facilities contracts during the Jan. 13 meeting: a roof replacement at Fairplane East Elementary and abatement/demolition contracts for two shuttered elementary schools.
Facilities director presented the bids: Fairplane East roof replacement was awarded for $117,444 (Versico TPO system with a 20-year edge-to-edge warranty), to be funded from the sinking fund and projected to take five working days. The former Bar Elementary asbestos abatement and demolition was awarded to Meeks Contracting Services LLC for a total of $298,000 (abatement $68,000; demolition $230,000). The former Martindale School contract was awarded to Melching Incorporated for $228,000. Trustees and staff discussed timing, permitting, the safety risks posed by deteriorated buildings and the district's interest in retaining land for future use.
Trustees noted community sensitivity about demolitions. Treasurer Gavin suggested exploring brownfield redevelopment funding from state programs to support future reuse. The Bar School vote carried with one abstention; Martindale and the roof awards passed by roll call.
