The Port Washington School District has taken on the parking problems on Campus Drive. An ad hoc parking committee was formed, which met several times over the summer and during the school year. The committee's charge was to immediately replace parking stalls lost by the staff, identify short-term possible options for staff and student parking on Campus Drive and to propose long-term potential considerations. The district also hired the architectural and engineering firm BBS as consultants to the committee.

At the BOE meeting in December, committee co-chair, BOE board member Jean-Marie Posner gave the findings of the committee. She reported, "The committee's recommendations really balance the competing forces of preserving open space and fields while finding at least 20 or more parking stalls at various locations. Student safety, and that of the staff, was always taken into account and weighed in on the decisions and recommendations."

She added, "Although the cost estimates are higher than expected, they do reflect 2009 costs and made major assumptions, such as relocating power lines and redirecting utilities and drainage areas." Continuing she notes, "It is believed that by valuing some of the existing infrastructure and improvements, the building cost would be reduced." She thanks her committee, saying "I am grateful for the energy, time, commitment and practical ideas of the committee members.

The committee consisted of:

Co-Chairs: William Hohauser (Community member)

Jean-Marie Posner (Board of Ed.)

Board of Ed. Mark Marcellus

Administration Mary Callahan

Eric Vonderhorst

PWTA-WMS Erlyn Madonia

PWTA-SHS Dr. Chris Haring

Parents Council Karen Seltzer

Community/AAPW Skip Stern

Community Peter Wezenaar

SHS Student Maddie Mirzoef

Melissa Quigley

Steven Nash

Principal-Schreiber Jay Lewis

Principal-Weber Marilyn Rodahan

Custodial David Albury

TA/EA Andrea Willet

Gail Schreiner

Clerical Missy Stepinowski

Police Dept. Deputy Chief DeMeo

Advisory: Rob Seiden, Dr. Geoffrey Gordon

Christine Vasilev

The parking committee told BBS that there is insufficient parking for all the students and staff at the Weber Middle School and Schreiber High School campus. The parking problem has been exacerbated by the elimination of 50 parking spaces along the Whitney athletic field because of safety concerns, and an increase in senior students bringing their cars to school.

The existing parking capacity for the campus is as follows:

• Weber Middle School - 80

• Schreiber High School - 300 (including administration)

• Monfort lot - 145

Seven preliminary site locations were scoped by the ad hoc parking committee for providing permanent long-term parking solutions and then presented to BBS for constructability and cost assessment.

The scope of the assessment for each location was to determine the amount of parking that could be provided and the feasibility for construction. In addition, BBS evaluated the adverse and positive impacts on the existing site. BBS was also asked to investigate alternate locations on the campus that may be utilized for additional parking.

The seven parking locations that were evaluated are as follows:

A- At lower plateau adjacent to Whitney field.

B- Along the south property line off Bogart Street on the existing practice field.

C- At the depressed location to the northeast corner of the track between the track and the new building addition.

D- Along Campus Drive adjacent to Whitney Field - controlled access and pedestrian way to be maintained.

E- At the location of the existing northeast softball field at Weber.

F- Behind the administration building at the location of the existing maintenance facility and storage buildings to be demolished.

G- Within the existing parking area near Schreiber by eliminating islands and other obstructions.

The committee's preferences were as follows:

Construction Scope:

• Construct new curb cut and entrance off entry drive

• Construct 10,600 square feet of paved parking area with drainage

• Install site lighting

• Construct pedestrian walk along entry drive

Parking stalls: 20 (including two handicapped stalls)

Construction cost: $222,442

• Includes escalation at 4 percent

• Includes contingencies at 5 percent

• Includes architects' fees at 7 percent

• Includes owner soft costs at 6 percent

Construction cost per stall: $11,122

Advantages:

• Proximity to Whitney athletic field

• Take advantage of existing space formerly utilized for parking

• Close proximity to Weber and Administration Building

Disadvantages:

• Cross traffic conflict with pedestrian way

Construction Scope:

• Remove existing islands and obstructions

• Patch in paving where islands are removed

• Repair and seal coat portions of existing parking area

Parking stalls: 21

Construction cost: $73,500

• Includes escalation at 4 percent

• Includes contingencies at 5 percent

• Includes architects fees at 7 percent

• Includes owner soft costs at 6 percent

Construction cost per stall: $3,500

Advantages:

• Utilize existing paved areas to increase parking

• Close proximity to high school and Administration Building

Disadvantages:

• Elimination of trees and green space

• Asphalt patches throughout paved areas

The committee felt this choice solved many issues, but felt the timeframe was long term and could not be considered an immediate solution, only a long-term resolution.

• Tilting track gains another lane

• Funding mechanisms in process (grants, savings from bond project, private donations)

• Approximately 64 parking stalls are gained on the Bogart Avenue side of Weber. (Note: The access to the lot will be from Campus Drive as an extension of the existing parking adjacent to Weber.)

Presenting a long-term plan, the committee offered the concept of taking down the carpentry shop building behind the administration building and moving it to the Monfort lot, thereby adding 14 spaces on Campus Drive. The new construction could still be funded, in part, out of the 2001 construction bond.

School board members and the district administration are now reviewing and evaluating the suggestions of the committee. It is expected that Dr. Gordon will come back to the board in January with his thoughts on the recommendations, which are subject to board approval.