JOHNSTOWN - The Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education voted Thursday night to build a new bus garage on district property near Johnstown High School.
The board decided at a meeting at Glebe Street Elementary School to build the garage on property behind the student parking lot on Wright Drive, away from any residential area. The decision was based on a recommendation from the Facilities Committee, which had met prior to the board meeting.
Board President Robert Curtis said the district will now seek proposals from architectural firms to design the new facility.
"I guess we have our marching orders," Curtis said. "Thank you, committee."
Committee Chairman Scott Miller said his committee has looked over some of the issues of whether to build on existing district property or attempt to purchase Crescendoe Road property it now leases for transportation needs through the Crossroads Incubator Corp.
Greater Johnstown School District voters took care of short-term needs for the district's 20 buses July 16 when they approved a proposition allowing the district to extend the lease for its current bus storage facility owned by the CIC through June 30, 2010. But the district is now planning for beyond that period.
Miller said to purchase and retrofit the Crescendoe Road facility would cost about $1.6 million, while construction of a new facility will cost about $576,000.
"We absolutely decided we should go new," Miller said.
He also said his committee determined that if the district built the new facility off of district property, it may take three years. He said it only will take about 18 months to build on the district's property. But, he said the district still has work to do before building the facility.
"We will have to go through all the issues," Miller said.
Board members reviewed aerial photos done through Syracuse-based Ashley McGraw Architects showing the area for the new bus garage. Miller said there will be a substantial "buffer zone" between the facility and any residential area.
Board member James Levin said the buses will use existing exits available in the area.
"I think your insurance carrier is going to want it fenced and surveiled," said district Interim Business Manager Ralph Acquaro.
The district has looked at its property on Irving Street, but discounted it for future transportation needs.
"I don't think Irving Street is large enough to hold our whole fleet," said board Vice President Joanne Freeman.
Board member Evamarie Mraz said the site near the high school is a "win-win" for the district - it includes a "huge buffer" and it is away from a residential area. She said it is in an "ideal location" and the district has no intention of building the "Taj Mahal" anyway.
In September, the board discussed the possibility of building on a 1.5-acre piece of non-district property that Superintendent Katherine Sullivan said may have cost $30,000 to purchase.
Board member Ronald Beck asked Thursday why the Facilities Committee rejected that option.
Miller cited the nearly three-year delay in that option.
Mraz also asked why the district should worry about purchasing land when it has its own land available.
It was noted that the city's school buses will not be fueled at the new site, but continue to be fueled at the Fulton County government fuel depot at the County Services Complex on Route 29.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
