This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Not Considered Viable

I was a co-member with Emily Eisenlohr on the 2004-2006 ad hoc Facilities Review Committee. I retrieved our report from my files to help me recall the process and recommendations. The study involved Academy School, Island Avenue School, the library, Memorial Town Hall, and the Kindergarden Center at the Town Campus. The charge from the Board of Selectmen was “the most appropriate uses” of the buildings in light of the closing of Academy as an operating school. Further the committee was charged to “consider economic, social, and educational impact.”

After brainstorming potential uses and evaluating options, the committee came up with four final scenarios. Structural issues, construction costs, and 20-year operating costs helped to decide the finalists. The scenario recommended was “A,” which concluded that a four-room addition be built on Academy along with bringing the facility to code compliance and renovation of mechanical systems, that Island would be ideal for a community and senior center, and that no changes be made at the library, Memorial Town Hall, or the Kindergarten Center.

Academy was not considered viable as a library as the 1921 structure would need extensive and very costly interior structural reinforcement to support the floor loading of book stacks. There were conversations of gutting the building interior and constructing a completely new interior steel frame.

I believe the rationale still holds. Maybe the library could move to the site if the Academy building was demolished.

Gus Horvath

Madison