Now that school is back in session, I would love to get feedback from parents or high school students about the high school renovation. How is the student parking situation? How about those generators? Are they noisy? How is the construction going? I haven't seen much activity around the athletic wing. Anything going on there?
The School District has posted this reminder on their website.
Traffic and Parking Reminders for Football Home Opener
The Mt. Lebanon High School football team kicks off their season with a home opener on Friday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. against North Allegheny. We look forward to a great crowd at the game to cheer on the Blue Devils and would like to share some information to help you navigate the changes around the stadium due to construction.
Update August 30, 2012 5:39 PM I guess this is the District's response as written in today's PG story,
"Mt. Lebanon High School renovation continues despite power outage."
School officials said despite this, the 31/2-year project is on schedule. The future athletic center is showing the most growth, as structural steel was erected in that building this summer, Mr. Steinhauer said.
Athletic Wing 8/30/12
Science Wing 8/13/12
He said the athletic center was among his favorite parts of the project "because you can really start to see progress."
Update September 2, 2012 4:00 PM Athletic wing after yesterday's rainstorm. Pooling along the back half again.
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| Athletic Wing 9/2/12 4:00 PM |
63 comments:
I'm hearing there is a major structural problem with the athletic building a/k/a HJK, and work has stopped pending a structural, geotechnical evaluation.
They were told not to put a pool structure there 6 or 7 years ago.
Yeah it's sinking !
Come on, guys. Spill the beans! What do you know? The renovation blog was last updated April 3. http://www.mtlsd.org/highschoolrenovation/hsrenovationblog.asp You can go to Camera 1 and play the time lapse for today or play the project to date time lapse. Nothing happening on the athletic wing, but if you go to Camera 2, there is much more activity.
Elaine
Here is the link for the cameras. http://multimedia.mtlsd.org/live.asp?stream=renovation.asp
Elaine
I'm surprised we haven't heard more from the 4000 supporters celebrating with their music, fanfare and party hats. What's that?...it was actually 4000 opposed and the only ones in favor were Posti and her dozen or so friends? That would explain the silence.
Hope they hire dirk Taylor if he's qualified to fo the evaluation. It would go a long way to instilling confidence in the conclusions with the taxpayers.
Plus they owe him an apology!
Sinking!?!?! That sounds really expensive to fix.
7:25 there's nothing for anyone to celebrate here. If there are any problems anywhere along the way to completion, we the taxpayers will pay for it in the end.
We're paying for the Geofoam, we'll be paying for the fire damage and if the building is sinking we'll pay to prop it back up.
The only celebration will be the completion of project anywhere near $113 million dollars.
It will be important to monitor the additional costs, however, if they occur. There may come a time when the community will finally have their say in the form of a referendum. We probably don't need all that stuff anyway.
Jimmy Hoffa was found under the athletic wing.
No, Marge Sabol's buyout agreement is "sealed" there.
Are you claiming the Mt. Lebanon foundation of education is sinking?
"The mission of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education is to provide a permanent source of financial support to enable the Mt. Lebanon School District to expand and enhance learning opportunities for its students." There is no financial support for this ! It is being constructed on shaky grounds ! It's a sign !
From the outdated renovation link on the MTLSD website dated February 2, 2012:
"The high school construction project is officially underway. The first phase of construction will focus on the athletic building and the new academic wing along Horsman Drive."
Today's webcam time lapse shows that the earth is spinning and rotating around the sun!
No one should be surprised, considering how this whole construction debacle has been handled.
I beleieve the last update was on 8/16......
http://www.mtlsd.org/highschoolrenovation/
I would caution only that this is the first week back in school and this is a 5 year project. It could be that they have paused work for a reason and that things are not delayed.
Sorry, but I have to put that out there as a possibility.
You certainly wont get a straight answer out of the school district if there are problems.
These are tax dollars. My money. Your money. Money that is being confiscated without us having a say in how it's spent. We shouldn't have to discuss it on a blog or a coffee house or an auditorium. The damn school board owes us updates, explanations and facts. Period.
A sudden change order for Geofoam. Not in the orginal bid... an oversight in the architect's plans. Possibly, or has Elaine's blog happened on the real reason... that the building is sinking?
From Geofoam.org:
"Expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam has been used as a geotechnical material since the 1960s. EPS geofoam is approximately 1% the weight of soil and less than 10% the weight of other lightweight fill alternatives. As a lightweight fill, EPS geofoam reduces the loads imposed on adjacent and underlying soils and structures."
I'll point out the important matter in the above information.
• Geofoam is 1% the weight of soil!
• Geofoam reduces the loads imposed on adjacent and UNDERLYING soils...
Look at where they are placing the Geofoam on camera 1- do you suppose the sudden need for Geofoam is to reduce the LOAD on the underlying soil?!
Bet in 10 years or so, we'll be paying for extensive repairs to settlement cracks right where the Geofoam is being place.
With respect to the athletic building, I would caution correspondents not to substitute rumors for fact. It is easy to get caught up in the speculation, but so far there has been only hearsay and little in the way of facts; where it so that we had more of the latter!
I will say that if there is a problem with the building the District would be best served by admitting it right away, thus establishing some degree of credibility. Secrecy has always been the District's "Achilles’ heel," as the Sable buyout attests.
Mr. Gideon there are several facts that we do know.
Soil studies for the failed natatorium advised it wasn't a good idea to place a large students on this site.
The original soil excavated from the site wasn't deemed to be best for using as fill, leading to the first change order to purchase proper soil.
Geofoam wasn't specified in the original drawings or bids. Something occurred or was uncovered that prompted a change order for Geofoam. Since the taxpayers are footing the increased cost, aren't we entitled to a complete explanation. We have enough building professonals living here to interpreter the information.
Reading up on the use of Geofoam there are a number of papers on the matter. All recommend designing from the start to use Geofoam. This sends a red flag, why at this stage the sudden need for it.
There are two reasons for using Geofoam seem pertinent to it's appearance onthe project. To lighten the load on the subsoil and something called compression instability. One would think dealing with both would have been in the original design.
That's compression inclusion not compression instability. Sorry for the typo.
The Sable buyout only prevented the board members from discussing the terms. Marge Sable was specifically, not prevented from discussing the terms of the settlement. This was a provision written by Sable's attorney, not the school board's.
Here's Jack Wagner's opinion on the Sable buyout: "Wagner's audit also focused on the confidential aspect of the buy-out. The Separation and Release Agreement contains a provision prohibiting the parties from commenting on the reasons for the termination, other than stating in the agreement itself that there were "differences of opinion with respect to the administration" of the district. However, at the same time, the agreement states that Dr. Sable "has performed the duties and obligations" of her employment contract. On several occasions during the audit, Wagner's staff requested an explanation from the school district detailing its reasons for terminating Dr. Sable's employment. The district's attorney expressed concern that Dr. Sable would sue the district if the district violated the confidentiality provision in the agreement; the district's attorney informed the auditors that he had asked Dr. Sable's attorney if she would release the district from its contractual obligation of confidentiality, but she was not willing to do so. Nevertheless, the district did provide the following information to Wagner: -- The parties "had different views concerning the administration and operation of the District ... ." -- "One of the several areas of disagreement was management style." -- The district had spent "several months of efforts to resolve these issues," but ultimately the school board determined that "significant differences ... on many major issues were beginning to, and would have continued to, result in harm to the District and its programs." "Although we recognize that the district felt constrained by the confidentiality clause, we are disappointed that the district did not provide a complete response to our request for information," said Wagner. He noted that the district's explanation raises more questions than it answers. Wagner recommended that the district provide as much additional information as possible to Mt. Lebanon's taxpayers, and that the district ensure that future termination agreements do not contain such confidentiality agreements."
Ok, good to know, but let's try to stay on topic, please. That boondoggle is for another day.
Elaine
I agree Sable is a distraction, but couldn't let 3:39's statement stand.
Indeed let's stay on topic.
The building could sink into the stadium. Enjoy the football games.
Going by the progress in the photos, Dr. Steinhauer doesn't know which building is which.
Shouldn't someone have known this? After all, that area is not virgin soil.
Also, this summer's dry hot weather hasn't helped. A builder told me that soil dries out and contracts when it doesn't have sufficient moisture.
The taxpayers shouldn't be asked to pay for this.
5:48 - we don't need to worry about the building sinking into the stadium. The SD has sewn the seeds of our own destruction. Now the whole community is going to sink!
Maybe we can get Franklin over there with his shovel? I would rather see him shoveling dirt than what he has been shoveling for the YSA!
Dr. Steinhaurer doesn't know a lot of things and pretends he does, like a little child. He didn't know how many elementary schools we had 6 months into his Supership. He claimed under oath in a zoning hearing that the HS had to have every design feature and cost of the then proposed design "in order to achieve programatic requirements for a 21st. century education", and then months later when the bids came in $20 million over estimates, he readily embraced a 31,000 square foot reduction in building size in new construction and $20 million in cost and quality reductions, claiming that the reductions had no effect whatsoever.
He claims the YSA is "fully paid up ", but his own district facts obtained in a RTK say otherwise. He claims the YSA is an excellent partner who volunteer money for field maintenance, yet we all know that the YSA are deadbeats, have not paid the "legally obligated" payments to the district, and that the payments are required because the YSA demand field maintenance standards far in excess those that are required by the district and that only the muni can provide, plus the YSA receives "priority" scheduling rights over the districts 14 fields (i.e. if you are not a YSA member, you don't get field time).
Steinhauer profesessed repeatedly in public that the district had a 20-year enrollment forecast that justified the HS boondoggle. When shown conclusively that the PDE had no such forecast, he repeatedly refused to admit his misrepresentation, making him a laughing stock in the community. After all, he has a doctorate in music, knows everything about anything and just cannot be wrong, ever. Just a few examples of a very curious personality.
From Wikipedia:
Disadvantages of using Geofoam include:
Fire hazards: Untreated Geofoam is a fire hazard.
Vulnerable to petroleum solvents: If Geofoam comes in contact with a petroleum solvent, it will immediately turn into a glue-type substance, making it unable to support any load.
Buoyancy: Forces developed because of buoyancy can result in a dangerous uplift force.
Susceptible to insect damage: Geofoam should be treated to resist insect infestation. If it is not, insects such as ants can burrow into the Geofoam, weakening the material.
Elaine
One more thing from Wikipedia:
It is important to install a draining system under the Geofoam to insure that you don’t have problems with built up hydrostatic pressure or buoyancy.
But Celli, PJ Dick, Nello, and the school board should already know this.
Elaine
When you cut and pasted from Wiki, you forgot this
Advantages of using Geofoam include:
Low density/ high strength: Geofoam is 1% to 2 % the density of soil with equal strength.[3]
Predictable behavior: Geofoam allows engineers to be much more specific in the design criteria. This is very different than other lightweight fillers, such as soil, that can be very variable in composition.
Inert: Geofoam will not breakdown, so it will not spread into surrounding soils. This means that Geofoam will not pollute the surrounding soil. Geofoam can also be dug up and reused.
Limited labor required for construction: Geofoam can be installed by hand using simple hand tools. This eliminates the investment and operating cost of heavy machinery.
Cuts down on construction time: Geofoam is quick to install and can be installed during any type of weather, day or night, resulting in faster installation time.
Does anyone find it ironic that the board members that were promotinnudging with the most expensive plan and lobbying to tear down building B, because it was too old, to dilapidated, not able to support a 21st century learning environment...
ARE NOW TOUTING HOW SMOOTHLY IT'S RENOVATION IS PROCEEDING!
Of course, you won't read on Center Court an admission like - you know I was wrong, building B can be and is going to continue to be the iconic image of the great Mt. Lebanon School District for many years to come. I was wrongthinking that we needed a new wing to replace. I thank God, that residents stood up and fought me and my like minded board members from making a stupid decision.
No, the PR spin on Center Court and from Dr. Steinhauer... We're proud - enthused over the new athletic wing! Great, keep watching it because it has more problems than the oldest wing and it isn't even completed yet.
One would think an educator would be beaming about an academic wing!!!
If it is so darn good, why is this showing up as a change order? But you right. When we decide to do another renovation, we can dig up the Geofoam and use it again. Yea!
Elaine
Hey! No truth to the rumor according to Josephine Posti's Center Court blog. http://jposti.blogspot.com/2012/08/project-on-schedule-and-on-budget.html
Everything is going well. Parking, renovation, traffic, all perfect.
If you hear any good rumors, let Josephine know, ok?
Elaine
Elaine, do you have any FACTS to support your assertion that there is a problem? If not, you're no better or different than the folks you criticize.
You must be a dem because I am watching Mitt Romney speaking, but I'll answer your question while I am listening.
I have given you links to the school district website and to President Posti's blog. Read the original post. I am asking for feedback. Where are the facts that everything is going well?
Elaine
Sorry. I'm an R but can multitask. You're rambling like Clint Eastwood.
Whatever. It isn't about me, you know. The people I criticize are wasting my money. And yours.
Elaine
10:36 did you miss the board discussion on the change order for Geofoam? Did you miss Nr. Remely's questions?
I don't know about you, but I don't think we have $80,000 to throw into materials for a $109+ million building.
You'd think one of the most expensive high school projects in Western PA would have been planned better.
There's not a problem? Then why approve an additional $80,000 expense?
Oh I know it's just one of those little incidentals that crop up in any construction project.
I'm sorry, I happen to believe when your going first class little surprises don't take you by surprise.
As I expected. You rant and rant, but when someone asks you to prove it, you say "whatever, it's not about me." How much of my money are we wasting on your frivolous RTK requests?
10:36 here's a FACT for you, that is I think it a fact because President Posti posted it.
" There was an issue with water pooling on the slab during the last rainfall that's being resolved"
I do know, is there a difference between an issue and a problem in the building trades? Maybe we should ask Ms. Posti just what are the specific resolutions to water pooling a concrete slab. But, before we ask that, maybe we need to know why pooling watsr is an 'issue'. Do you fix it with a squeegee, or does it require something far more complicated and expensive?
Baghdad Bob Posti strikes again. "Nothing to see here. Move along. Tanks? What tanks? Oh those? Those are the infidels retreating forward. Cowards. We are crushing them."
If the school board would, for once, behave like a group of people with any character or honesty, we wouldn't have to rely on JoPo's sorry blog (Center Court? Really? Grow up, Jo.) The board needs to act like adults and tell people what's going on. So Mary and Elaine, if you're going to keep posting anonymously, at least throw us an expalnation.
It's a $100 million construction project. It's not Legos. There are going to be issues, change orders, etc. To suggest otherwise or to suggest that those changes are "problems" is silly.
I guess there is your explanation, 11:17 PM.
I question the pooling issue. Does that mean that it is sinking in the middle? Just asking.
Elaine
11:17 good question, why is it appropriate for Posti or YSA or Brumfield supporters to comment and hurl barbs, but no no no no... If you criticize our people you must sign your name.
Obviously 11:22 you're a product of Lebo accounting courses.
It's not a $100 million construction project (by the way what happen to that under $95 million project?).
It's a $100.4 million and rising construction project.
I you willing to go on record and tell us no construction project ever came in on budget? None ever were completed under budget?
Ooops again... not $100.4 million... $109.4 million and rising.
Last year, Josephine reported that there were no parking problems, I mean issues, on Main Entrance Drive. Contrary to what she reported, a Main Entrance resident, not Posti's parents, moved away because of the parking "issue."
And to be clear, 11:17 PM, you were referring to Mary Birks and Elaine Cappucci.
Thanks to a terrific computer person, I can now access the Internet on the computer which has the printer. I need to print off more RTK forms so that I can continue to submit those "frivolous" RTK requests.
Elaine
Yeah, frivolous requests...necessary because Empress Jo Po and her minions refuse to be transparent, which, oddly, was the platform most of them used to fool the public enough to get elected.
Frivolous, my ass, punk. why don't you challenge the school board as to how much of your money they're wasting by not governing honestly?
does anyone have a copy of the commencement speech? I hear it's good reading. Looking for JoPo and Timmy's speech. It's my understanding they contradicted each other.
I haven't looked recently, but I do have this link for Gaduation 2012.
http://multimedia.mtlsd.org/Play.asp?497949149411818!4=1&Player=WMP
There is also a link for Flash, but that doesn't work on iPads.
Elaine
Main Entrance Folks don't like people parking in front of their houses? So boo hoo. Let them move if that is the reason, it is a public street. They could put a chair in front of their house like folks in the city.
Yep nice going 12:19 strive to be like the South Side.
Next you'll be advising: "hey get over it, beer guzzling youth sports parents peeing on your begonias is no big deal."
12:19
You are right, why don't we just send all those parked cars over to your street. And when you try to sell your home and there is no place to park, we'll see what kind of offers you get.
The point is, not enough thought was given to unintended consequences. As usual, people are being impacted that had no idea they would be a part of this.
Friday nights in the Dallas suburb of Allen are about to become even more larger-than-life, as the Allen Independent School District prepares to open a new $60 million stadium for its high school football team. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/dallas-suburb-unveils-new_n_1756434.html
Oh well JoPo and Tim Texas got you beat.
August 30, 2012 3:39 PM
Show the proof that the "Marge Sable buyout only prevented the board members from discussing the terms. Marge Sable was specifically, not prevented from discussing the terms of the settlement. This was a provision written by Sable's attorney, not the school board's." She told me she begged the board to let her talk at school board meeting where they separted her. Show your proof 3:39 PM.
Marge Sable wanted the financials from Jan Klein and the curriculum from Dr. Allen and neither person would give her what she asked for. They were insubordinate.
Isn't this just precious how the the board is always "on schedule and on budget."
That's really easy to do President Posti when you conveniently disregard the promises you made.
What ever happened to the under $95 million promise? Then there was the closer to $100 million, than $113 million dollar promise. Today, it's "on scheduled, on budget." we see how long that last , right Jo?
That standing water on the concrete slab at the athletic wing... maybe that's one of those zero entry pools everybodys been requesting!
Didn't anyone read the plans?
That standing water is one of the environment sustainability board's LEED ideas.
By creating reservoirs of standing water within the building we cut down on cooling cost and water consumption.
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