Two proposals to build a 50,000 cubic-foot underground storm water detention area at Carpenter Elementary divided residents, parents and administrators, but school board members ultimately held off from selecting one design.
Both concepts incorporate the underground water detention area to alleviate flooding and drainage problems, though the second option includes a new student drop-off lane and consolidates the play areas into one site. The second option is backed by the district and the district’s architect, Fanning Howey, but parents and teachers said they felt it would impact children’s safety.
“We’re sort of under the impression if it’s not broken don’t fix it,” said Sue Douglass, a Carpenter teacher and Park Ridge resident. “We would love to have places for parents to pull in but this particular parking lot will encourage parents to stay and wave their children to their cars, which makes children cross through the drop-off lane.”
Douglass added staff likes the separate playground areas, and fear students will chase after balls onto Cherry Street and Hamlin Avenue if the entire playground is moved to the northeast corner of the property.
The first proposal costs about $1.1 million while the second is estimated at $1.4 million, said Keri VanSant, of Fanning Howey.
Once the school board selects a design, the district will need to get variances from the City’s Council for parking. There are about 37 parking spaces in the current lot, but once the district makes changes to the site, the city requires 58, said Scott Mackall, director of facility management.
Superintendent Philip Bender said that many parking spots are not needed and would reduce green space by 3 percent. He added the city has assured the school district the second option is more likely to receive a variance. The first concept retains the 37 parking spaces while the second adds 10 parking spots.
Parent Lisa Bascomb supported the second proposal and liked the idea of putting the two playgrounds together. She added the district and school will create prevention measures that stop cars from hitting children in the drop-off lane.
“Parents need to find a better way to drop off…having a turn-around would help tremendously,” said Bascomb, who has two children at Carpenter.
Board member Dan Collins said he had a hard time voting against the district’s architect and asked for more time, as did board member Sharon Lawson and Board President John Heyde.
Board member Pat Fioretto said the drop-off area opens students, parents and teachers to more risk. He added the board should decide sooner rather than later to get the matter before the council.
“I think what we need to fix is the retention problem and I think what we need to address is the playground issue,” he said. “From what I’m hearing from the staff and a lot of parents and neighbors…I think concept one is the direction to go.”
