Project in works in Brookfield

By Eric Grosso

The state will pay for the stage but not for the seating area.

BROOKFIELD — The Brookfield Local School District is a few steps closer to building a new $31.4 million facility after passing three resolutions on Wednesday, while tabling another until the next board meeting.

The project includes $20.1 million from the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission and $11.3 million from the district.

Brookfield residents approved a 7.4-mill levy in November, 1.6-mills of which is for local funded issues, which cover purchases made by the district that are not covered by state funding.

The board tabled a vote on construction manager fees concerning the construction of a 4,000-square-foot auditorium. The auditorium is being built with local money because the state only covers a cafeteria and auditorium dual-purpose room. The seating area will cost the district approximately $1.4 million.

The state will cover the cost of the stage because it would have been built within a dual-purpose room. However, because the seating area is not covered, the district must also pay construction manager fees, not to exceed $115,185.

The resolution tabled Wednesday contained wording that may suggest the construction managers would be entitled to fees for the entire portion of local funded issues and not just the auditorium construction phase.

The resolution is expected to be voted on next month after it is rewritten.

The board also voted to approve the Program of Requirements portion of the project, which includes an itemized list of spaces and square footage throughout the building.

Also approved Wednesday was a resolution authorizing the district to use local money during the project, and that the construction with the state would contain certain local funded issues projects.

The only planned LFI project at this time is the auditorium. The schematic design phase was entered by vote. This phase will include Balog Steins Hendricks Manchester Architects Inc., developing schematic design documents, a project schedule and preliminary construction cost for the project.