Jefferson City School District spends $2.7 million on tornado repairs
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Construction to Jefferson City School District properties is complete after damage from the tornado that ripped through the city in last May.
Jefferson City School District spokeswoman Ryan Burns said the district spent $2,699,448 on repairs so far from the tornado but doesn't expect to spend any more because repairs have been completed.
Nichols Career Center, Simonsen Ninth Grade Center, Thorpe Gordon Elementary and Jefferson City High School were all damaged in the tornado. The high school press box and scoreboard were damaged, as well.
Here's the breakdown on how much was spent on repairs:
- Jefferson City High School (includes Adkins Stadium press box and scoreboard): $1,605,366
- Nichols Career Center: $69,314
- Simonsen Ninth Grade Center: $802,433
- Thorpe Gordon Elementary: $192,335
Superintendent Larry Linthacum told ABC 17 News in October that before the century-old Simonsen building was heavily damaged by the tornado, the cost to renovate it was $6 million. Linthacum said taking that into consideration the district later declared the century-old building a surplus property.
Jason Hoffman, JC Schools chief financial officer, said the district is working with its attorney to get a "solicitation bid ready to put it out." Hoffman said several developers have already expressed interest in acquiring the building.
"We've had people that are thinking of condos, some are looking at some affordable housing," Hoffman said. "It's a 90,000-square-foot building so it's big, and there's obviously some creative people who have looked at it and think they can make it work."
Along with the nearly $2.7 million in tornado repairs, the district also bought nearly 50 properties adjacent to JCHS. So far the district has spent $2,042,629 in acquiring those houses and another $201,415 for demolition.
Burns said the district does not have immediate plans to develop those properties yet but the acquisition will give district leaders the flexibility to do so in the future.
