Lonedell R-14 advances bus garage designs tied to $3.75M no‑tax‑increase bond

The Lonedell R‑14 School District’s Bus Garage Design Committee reviewed schematic directions, budget and schedule for a proposed bus garage at a Jan. 9 meeting and asked the design team to produce three schematic concepts for Board review in February.

Board President Brad Rucker called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and Stephanie York, the board secretary, recorded attendance. Present committee members included Chelsea Davis, board vice‑president; Dr. Monica Hiatt, superintendent; and Dennis Barry, maintenance coordinator. Hoener Architects and Cochran Engineering attended as the design and civil consultants.

Hoener Architects told the committee the project is planned to be funded as part of an April 2026 no‑tax‑increase bond issue for $3,750,000. The bond package, as described in meeting materials, would fund the bus garage and parking expansion, safety and security improvements, a preschool playground and roofing work. Hoener will prepare a project cost estimate (initially targeted at ±30% accuracy) and issue an amendment to its existing agreement for the bus garage scope for Board consideration at the Jan. 26 meeting.

The committee identified a pre‑engineered metal building (PEMB) with a steel frame as the preferred structural system, citing long‑term durability and lower maintenance needs. The district asked that the building be designed with future flexibility in mind in case transportation services are outsourced or the facility is later repurposed for vocational or student shop space. The meeting notes state a dedicated wash bay and on‑site fueling station are not required; electric buses are "not currently considered a viable option," but the design team was asked to install conduit during construction to allow future charging infrastructure if needed.

Hoener and Cochran were directed to develop three planning concepts: (1) a full‑program concept including all requested elements; (2) a core‑requirements package with selected alternates identified separately; and (3) a hybrid approach combining required elements and optional alternates. Each concept must include preliminary grading, utility layouts, PEMB parameters and an alternate for covered parking. The team will also produce a high‑level cost comparison evaluating imported fill versus a retaining wall to address site elevation changes.

Site and utility matters discussed included a proposed underground 400‑amp electrical feed routed from a new utility pole (Ameren UE coordination) and a proposed lift‑station connection of approximately 500 feet to tie the garage into the existing treatment facility. Cochran will perform a site survey the week of Jan. 12 and initiate geotechnical borings as soon as possible to support grading and foundation decisions.

The committee recorded 15 action items, including Hoener preparing contract amendments and cost estimates, Cochran completing the site survey and borings, and the design team preparing the three schematic concepts. The project team will reconvene Jan. 30 at 9:00 a.m. to review the concepts and meet again Feb. 6 to refine the preferred scheme. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Feb. 17; the team discussed a target bid period after Construction Documents aiming to bid in April following the bond, with an anticipated award in May if the schedule holds.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.