KFDM South Park Middle School construction to begin in May Comments 12 February 16, 2010 5:59 PM Ashley Rodrigue KFDM News has learned that in the next two months, Beaumont ISD is planning to tear down South Park Middle School and begin building a new one. Ashley Rodrigue reports on the first face-to-face meeting between the district and contractors who want to get a piece of the pie. At the start of the 2009-2010 school year, South Park Middle School students walked into their portable classrooms behind the 88-year-old building. They were hoping to watch workers transform the campus into a brand new school.. throughout the year. South Park PTA President David Pete said, "It's kind of mixed emotions because they're very excited, but yet again, a little apprehensive, like 'when is it going to happen?'" Six months later, nothing much has happened. But things are about to change.. in a hurry. That's according to the lead company hired for the job. Tuesday, at a pre-bid meeting, representatives from Allco Inc., laid out the plans to dozens of local businesses hoping to get a contract for some of the work. Asbestos abatement will be complete in three weeks, demolition will take 45 days and construction will kick off in May. The contractors were also informed of the challenges of the job ahead. They include building a new sewage system, creating a new electric grid and working within the limited space available. And the requirements for the job were laid on the table. A company's reputation, bid price and whether it can meet the district's goal of involving minority-owned businesses.. will all be factors in the selection. Assistant Superintendent Terry Ingram says the district has high standards, and for a good reason. He said, "We wanna get the best value for the dollar, at the same time, we want them to do a good job, on time." Time has stood still since last July, when the Beaumont Heritage Society challenged the district's plans to tear down the old building, as part of BISD's $389 million bond. In the end, a judge ruled the district couldn't use bond money for its plans, so BISD is moving forward with other dollars, and the South Park community has no complaints. "Now they can lay that to rest, now they can look forward to a brand new South Park school where the kids can feel good in a learning environment that will be competitive to all the schools in the district," said Pete, "And now that these things are moving forward.. I think it's gonna do great things for the community." An attorney representing a group that sued the district has left open the possibility of new legal action if BISD tries to demolish the school. The planned opening date, at this time, is January of 2012. Comments jrintx wrote: The story states: "And the requirements for the job were laid on the table. A company's reputation, bid price and whether it can meet the district's goal of involving minority-owned businesses.. will all be factors in the selection." Can someone please explain why this is not discrimination? They will be making a decision based on race, gender or ethnicity of the owners? Isn't that blatant discrimination??? I don't understand... 2/17/2010 10:51 AM CST on KFDM.com txyellowrose wrote: Tearing down South Park will take priority over all other campuses because it is a vendetta. They will show everyone that they can and will tear down a beautiful, historical building. 2/17/2010 9:00 AM CST on KFDM.com her2kees wrote: Last I heard there is still a construction delay on the Regina Campus. My child goes to the SC campus which is now over a year behind scheduel. 2/17/2010 8:58 AM CST on KFDM.com txyellowrose wrote: It is not about a bunch of people that graduated decades ago. It is about history. There is a lot of history connected to that building. The old building could be refurbished and all the modern technology installed and it still would not cost what tearing down and rebuilding would cost. It has become a vendetta with BISD and they have decided to tear down that building at any cost. It is not about the students, it is about BISD losing a court battle. 2/17/2010 8:53 AM CST on KFDM.com Recommend Report Abuse Permalink quanellxlax wrote: Minority owned business. What happened to best qualified. 2/17/2010 5:06 AM CST on KFDM.com Recommend (2) steven409 wrote: Man I remember growing up and going to southpark...school was such a hellhole lol. At least kids won't go through the same hell like I did! 2/17/2010 3:50 AM CST on KFDM.com ohgetreal wrote: Tanner1998 - how does it ruin education for children by tearing down an old asbestos-infested building with holes in the ceiling to a brand new building integrated with the latest technology? How does this sound: LCD projectors and smartboards mounted in every room, wi-fi internet throughout the buildings, and multiple computer labs for student use. These are the possibilities for the new campus. You don't have to agree with the schoolboard on every decision to know that this is what's best for the students - instead of what's best for a group of people who graduated decades ago. 2/17/2010 1:09 AM CST on KFDM.com deanna1973 wrote: Superior? Only new school built where have you been under a rock? Regina is getting a new campus from the ground up, Amelia, and 2 or 3 other schools. 2/16/2010 10:59 PM CST on KFDM.com txyellowrose wrote: It is really sad because BISD didn't want the oilfield riffraff going to their schools, so the riffraff built their own school and school district. It was a better (and richer) district and BISD kept trying to merge and kept being voted out. Finally, they dissolved BISD to force a merger. It was then decided that the new school district should be called Beaumont rather than South Park. So, BISD got SP by ruthless means and now wants to destroy the only symbol left the represents SPISD. Now, the riffraff is BISD and South Park Alumni wants no part of them, but now thru deception, they have the upper hand and South Park has no say. Why don't they change the neighborhood to South Beaumont. It is no longer South Park!! Not since BISD took over. 2/16/2010 10:49 PM CST on KFDM.com Recommend (2) mycorps wrote: Burn that biotch down, its an eyesore and the new building will look alot nicer and the facility will function better and so will the students. No more cockroaches in the food at least. Let it burn! 2/16/2010 9:20 PM CST on KFDM.com tanner1998 wrote: David Pete can kiss my ___. There will never be a building built like South Park. Beaumonters you are really screwing up.You have let Thomas take over and ruin your childrens education 2/16/2010 7:04 PM CST on KFDM.com Recommend (4) her2kees wrote: It would be superior to all schools in the district becasue it would/could be the only new school built. 2/16/2010 6:53 PM CST on KFDM.com