CONSTRUCTION PROJECT Poland board looks over elements

The debris could redirect storm water into the library parking lot.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- The Village Architectural Review Board tentatively approved the brick, doors, shingles and other exterior elements of the construction project that will connect Poland Middle School and McKinley Elementary School.
The board won't give final approval for the brick, however, until after a mock wall using the approved brick and mortar has been constructed near the current building so board members can compare colors and textures.
It is impossible to match new brick to those used decades ago, "but these blend in," noted Kirk Kreuzwieser, project architect for Hanahan-Strollo & amp; Associates of Youngstown, who attended the review board's Thursday night meeting.
Before approving the selection, board members voted to recess the meeting so that they could take the samples to the school and hold them up against the exterior wall where the addition will adjoin the current building.
The new brick, board members agreed, is a good match but is more uniform in color than those in the current structure.
Kreuzwieser assured them that they can request variation among the brick that will be used.
Waiting on windows
Board members declined to approve windows for the project until they can see samples.
Trees at the construction sight were felled earlier this week and are being cleared away. Ground is expected to be broken for the school addition in the immediate future, Kreuzwieser said. The bulk of the work will be completed before school starts this fall.
A precast concrete medallion featuring Poland's mascot bulldog that will adorn the building was approved. The final budget will dictate whether a bay window is added.
In other matters, the board elected to refer to village council concerns about a property owner apparently is using construction waste as fill in the rear yard of properties in the 200 block of South Main Street.
The broken sidewalks and asphalt, said Steve Bolton, board chairman, have the potential of redirecting run-off during a storm into Yellow Creek and library parking lot. He also voiced concerns that the construction debris may pose a risk to the environment.
kubik@vindy.com