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Post by majorianthrax on Jul 10, 2008 12:30:26 GMT -5
Very interesting article in the Sun Times today about renovations at New Trier which might be as high as between $256 million to $400 million. Wow! There is alot more money up there then in 204 but the numbers are just startling. Imagine what we could have done with less then half of that amount. All the talk about 30 year old WV is laughable compared to much of NT which dates back to 1912 according to the story. It is no wonder they are the best.
Also on relating to that story there was a listing of the costliest HS in Chicago. The top four-
1. The replacement for Westinghouse in Chicago to open in 2009. Estimated cost- $103 million.
2. Bolingbrook- $100 million opened in 2004.
3. Neuqua Valley- $62 million opened in 1997.
4. Little Village Lawndale in Chicago- $61 million opened in 2005.
I never knew Bolingbrook had that pricetag. How much is MV again?
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Post by gatordog on Jul 10, 2008 15:58:57 GMT -5
Nice info, major.
We should add on the NCHS renovations to.
I forget the exact $ number. But i do know this:
there is a class of NCHS students that even if things go as schedule will for their entire HS career be at a construction zone.
And IIRC isnt there asbestos concerns while NCHS construction occurs?.
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Post by eb204 on Jul 10, 2008 18:07:42 GMT -5
Nice info, major. We should add on the NCHS renovations to. I forget the exact $ number. But i do know this: there is a class of NCHS students that even if things go as schedule will for their entire HS career be at a construction zone. And IIRC isnt there asbestos concerns while NCHS construction occurs?. And some in this district are complaining about 1 semester of construction.  Go figure. |
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Post by Arch on Jul 10, 2008 18:30:03 GMT -5
Nice info, major. We should add on the NCHS renovations to. I forget the exact $ number. But i do know this: there is a class of NCHS students that even if things go as schedule will for their entire HS career be at a construction zone. And IIRC isnt there asbestos concerns while NCHS construction occurs?. And some in this district are complaining about 1 semester of construction. Go figure. Excellent on-topic post there. Are these dollar figures the 'then' amounts or adjusted for today? That makes a difference when making comparisons about costs. |
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Post by eb204 on Jul 10, 2008 18:42:23 GMT -5
And some in this district are complaining about 1 semester of construction. Go figure. Excellent on-topic post there. Are these dollar figures the 'then' amounts or adjusted for today? That makes a difference when making comparisons about costs. It most certainly is on topic, dealing with renovations and costs. Are you now a moderator here? If the mods say I'm off topic, I will delete the post and apologize. You don't get to make those decisions here. |
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Post by Arch on Jul 10, 2008 18:52:37 GMT -5
Excellent on-topic post there. Are these dollar figures the 'then' amounts or adjusted for today? That makes a difference when making comparisons about costs. It most certainly is on topic, dealing with renovations and costs. Are you now a moderator here? If the mods say I'm off topic, I will delete the post and apologize. You don't get to make those decisions here. I can certainly post my opinion about it unless now you are saying I may not. I don't see 'moderator' next to your name either. Back to the topic, assuming they are 'then' dollars: Bolingbrook: What cost $100m in 2004 would cost $112.5m in 2007. NV: $62m in 1997 would cost $81.17m in 2007. Little Villiage: $61m in 2005 would cost $66.46m in 2007 www.westegg.com/inflation/ |
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Post by gatordog on Jul 10, 2008 19:05:54 GMT -5
and construction cost increase has exceeded general inflation. I think we have gone over that before! But that never stops us around here, does it?  |
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Post by specialneedsmom on Jul 10, 2008 19:54:57 GMT -5
I didn't read the article about New Trier (probably should), but did it mention how they were going to pay for these renovations. They have a difficult time passing referendums up there because there are so many seniors who generally vote no for schools. My friend, whose son attended Lake Forest High School last year, paid $1,500 in registration fees because the citizens up there won't vote for any increases to their taxes. So it is more of a pay as you go system.
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Post by gatormom on Jul 10, 2008 20:03:16 GMT -5
Residents consider a New Trier referendum
(http://www.pioneerlocal.com/glencoe/news/1046994,gl-facilities2-071008-s2.article)
July 10, 2008
By ERIC JOHNSON ejohnson@pioneerlocal.com
As the planning process culminated Monday night in the form of two proposed options for New Trier's Winnetka campus, residents listened and felt varying emotions.
Renovation is a touchy issue for several reasons. One being cost: In the new construction option, costs could equate to an increase of $583 to $753 per every $10,000 in taxes. In the addition and renovation option, the costs could equate to an increase between $448 to $619 per every $10,000 in taxes.
Another stems from New Trier deciding on special committees -- that meet privately -- to steer the planning process from brainchild to Board vote.
These committees were seemingly inclusive -- they had teachers, staff, New Trier parents, and empty nesters -- but the general public, and the press, were kept out of them, getting their information in follow-up meetings.
Most residents seem impressed with the planning efforts at New Trier, but Winnetka's Dan Streiff, who sent his three children to New Trier, questions the viability of "selling" these proposals.
"They will have a hard time selling it by the time they address all the issues, like sustainability. We are talking about $400-plus million. I don't want to sound disparaging, they have done a good job. But that's a big number."
There are also concerns for residents with children starting high school in the near-term.
"One of the things that concerns me is the impact to the students during the renovation and construction phases," said Felicia O'Malley, a Winnetka resident who has an 8th grader preparing for high school there.
"You see the need to do something, but I am torn. This process will take a long time, but I am also in agreement that there is a great need to fix up the facilities," she said.
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Post by specialneedsmom on Jul 10, 2008 20:35:17 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the article. It will be a hard sell. Times are getting harder for everyone, even the affluent North Shore. Alot of the super rich send their kids to prep schools too.
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Post by asmodeus on Jul 10, 2008 22:35:26 GMT -5
I'm trying to figure out what exactly is in the official inflation numbers that keep it so low. Food and energy (which have skyrocketed) are excluded, and construction cost increases--which include materials, health care for the labor, etc.--are much higher than the general rate.
I recall an article a few years back that claimed there is an army of government workers who actually adjust the "value" of products based on perceived utility. For example, if a cassette deck with Dolby B had cost $200, but a year later the same deck cost $220 but now included Dolby C, the government could claim that the inflation for that item was zero. I understood the concept but thought it was a scummy way of hiding the true rate of inflation.
Anyway, $400 million for a high school would have to be some kind of record, no? And they already own the land!
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Go figure. 
