July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Armory transformation continuing (04/16/08)
By By JACK RONALD-
Work is progressing on the transformation of the former Portland armory into a new home for Jay School Corporation's administrative offices.
But Superintendent Tim Long said Tuesday it will probably be July before the move is made from the old Garfield elementary building at 404 E. Arch St.
The armory was presented to the school corporation by the Indiana National Guard earlier this spring, and contractors have been working since then to get the building in shape.
Most of the work has involved upgrading the heating and cooling systems in the building, bringing plumbing and wiring up to code requirements, and bringing the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Long said.
"This whole building was all-on or all-off in terms of heating," Long said.
The armory's boiler has been removed and replaced by a furnace and roof top units which allow the building to be zoned for more efficient temperature control.
School corporation business manager Brad DeRome said work on the building will come in under $100,000, and $50,000 of that had been budgeted for needed repairs at the Garfield building.
"We were looking at a ton of work at 404 Arch Street," said Long.
The east wing of the building, which had been National Guard offices and storage, will now be home to administrative offices and the school board's meeting room.
In terms of square footage, the office space is comparable to the present administrative offices. Long's new office, for example, has the same dimensions as his current office.
The board meeting room is slightly smaller than the present meeting room, but it has an adjoining door to the armory's gymnasium, making it easy to adjust if there is a large crowd in attendance.
The west wing of the building has seen the most structural work, with windows and a new entry added for the offices of the special education program.
The additional entry is intended for convenience and means that both offices don't need to be open at the same time.
As part of the agreement with the National Guard, a small office for the local recruiter will be located in the northwest corner of the building.
The biggest addition in terms of space is the gym, which has been used this year by the cheerleading and gymnastics programs at Jay County High School.
"This facility has really worked out well for our girls' sports," said Long.
"The building is very functional for us," said DeRome.
"And it's a neat location too, being close to the high school."
DeRome noted that offices will probably move in phases, with the biggest complication being the switchover of telephones and computer technology.
Long said there are no plans as yet for the future of the old Garfield building. Jay County Commissioners have expressed interest in the property as a possible site for the county health department and cooperative extension service, which are now housed in a former doctor's office on West Arch Street.
"Ultimately, that's a board decision," Long said.[[In-content Ad]]
But Superintendent Tim Long said Tuesday it will probably be July before the move is made from the old Garfield elementary building at 404 E. Arch St.
The armory was presented to the school corporation by the Indiana National Guard earlier this spring, and contractors have been working since then to get the building in shape.
Most of the work has involved upgrading the heating and cooling systems in the building, bringing plumbing and wiring up to code requirements, and bringing the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Long said.
"This whole building was all-on or all-off in terms of heating," Long said.
The armory's boiler has been removed and replaced by a furnace and roof top units which allow the building to be zoned for more efficient temperature control.
School corporation business manager Brad DeRome said work on the building will come in under $100,000, and $50,000 of that had been budgeted for needed repairs at the Garfield building.
"We were looking at a ton of work at 404 Arch Street," said Long.
The east wing of the building, which had been National Guard offices and storage, will now be home to administrative offices and the school board's meeting room.
In terms of square footage, the office space is comparable to the present administrative offices. Long's new office, for example, has the same dimensions as his current office.
The board meeting room is slightly smaller than the present meeting room, but it has an adjoining door to the armory's gymnasium, making it easy to adjust if there is a large crowd in attendance.
The west wing of the building has seen the most structural work, with windows and a new entry added for the offices of the special education program.
The additional entry is intended for convenience and means that both offices don't need to be open at the same time.
As part of the agreement with the National Guard, a small office for the local recruiter will be located in the northwest corner of the building.
The biggest addition in terms of space is the gym, which has been used this year by the cheerleading and gymnastics programs at Jay County High School.
"This facility has really worked out well for our girls' sports," said Long.
"The building is very functional for us," said DeRome.
"And it's a neat location too, being close to the high school."
DeRome noted that offices will probably move in phases, with the biggest complication being the switchover of telephones and computer technology.
Long said there are no plans as yet for the future of the old Garfield building. Jay County Commissioners have expressed interest in the property as a possible site for the county health department and cooperative extension service, which are now housed in a former doctor's office on West Arch Street.
"Ultimately, that's a board decision," Long said.[[In-content Ad]]
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