District says Su Valley school foundation a loss, insurance company is not so sure

Aug. 3, 2007

By John R. Moses/Frontiersman

TALKEETNA - Portable classrooms are on foundations and plumbing and electrical work continues at the temporary Su Valley Jr./Sr. High campus, formerly the Upper Susitna Senior and Community Center.

But the verdict isn't quite in on a major part of the old main building across the Parks Highway, a feature the Borough had hoped to recycle into building a new high school as a way to cut construction costs. Like the rest of the structure that burned to the ground June 5, the old school's thick concrete and cinderblock foundation is severely damaged, school district contractor Shannon & Wilson reports.

Not so fast, counters the insurance firm that would have to pay for the slab's demolition.

&#8220We forwarded the report from Shannon and Wilson to the insurance company with our consultant's recommendation to not reuse the slab due to its lack of structural integrity,” Mat-Su Borough Manager John Duffy said. &#8220They have requested additional core samples [at their expense]. We are awaiting their concurrence that the slab should be demolished and that it will be covered with the proceeds from insurance.”

Meanwhile, the temporary campus has seen progress in these areas:

€ The temporary bathroom portable has been connected to water and sewer systems.

€ Leech pumps for the expanded septic system, delivery of which was delayed by the supplier, are due to arrive and be installed today.

€ The firm Simplex Grinnell is installing a fire alarm and sprinkler system.

€ Statewide Commercial Electric is taking care of electrical and communications equipment hookups to the portables and the senior center. &#8220They plan to work seven days a week, 12 hours a day to get the job done on time,” according to Duffy's weekly report. Electrical service should start next week.

€ Collins Construction was low bidder on an addition to the senior center and has begun work. The addition will house an emergency generator that will eventually become part of the permanent school site, as well as a water tank for the sprinkler system.

€ A new portable will be modified into a bathroom and nurse's station. Its purchase cost is $49,850 and the district expects to sink another $25,000 into modifications. Even at almost $75,000, Duffy said that's considerably cheaper than earlier plans to build a bathroom and nurse's station from scratch.

€ A better surface will be put down soon on paths between buildings to avoid having students and staff walk in mud.

Progress is still being made on plans for the new, permanent campus. The Borough last month accepted seven proposals from design firms interested in creating a new, energy-efficient campus for the school's more than 180 students.

School starts on Aug. 20.

Contact John R. Moses at 352-2270 or john.moses@frontiersman.com.