State delays new Marquette Primary project

By MICHAEL WANBAUGH, Tribune Staff Writer

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Marquette Primary in South Bend

Marquette Primary in South Bend (WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 15, 2008 at 4:29 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 15, 2008 at 4:33 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — When the School Property Tax Control Board gave its blessing to the school corporation’s $36.3 million facility plan back in February, Superintendent Robert L. Zimmerman couldn’t help but smile.

These days the leader of the South Bend Community School Corp. is left scratching his head.

Last week the Department of Local Government Finance — the final hurdle of the complex finance process — decided to postpone its decision on the matter until July.

Zimmerman and other school corporation officials had expected a favorable ruling by now, not a delay.

"Obviously if the decision is delayed until July we’re going to get a lot less for our money," Zimmerman said. "We just can’t wait another six months and not have inflation kill us. That’s going to hurt. That’s going to make a tight budget even tighter."

The corporation’s plan calls for a new Marquette Primary Montessori Academy to replace the existing building and a major renovation of Monroe Primary Center. Both schools were built in the 1930s.

Less extensive improvements for Washington and Clay high schools are included.

The facility plan has been in the works for over a year and has pitted the corporation against both Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County and the South Bend Common Council.

Tim Klusczinski, who is president of the local HPC, said he was also surprised the Department of Local Government Finance delayed its decision.

"It’s a very complex matter," Klusczinski said. "As a taxpayer it makes me feel good that theses things are looked at very closely."

The HPC has been battling to protect and save the current Marquette building once a potential new building is complete.

The Common Council bestowed historic landmark status on the current building, which was built in 1936.

After a veto of that decision by Mayor Stephen Luecke, the status of building is still up for debate. The Common Council contends that Luecke had no jurisdiction to veto its decision.

School officials have since planned to build north of the current Marquette building while the matter of what to do with the old school is being resolved.

Meanwhile, Zimmerman said work was to begin at Monroe this summer with a completion target of fall 2010.

"If we don’t get approval until July, we’re not going to come close to that," Zimmerman said. "We’re just going to have to sit and wait.

"Obviously the longer it takes the more inflation is going to eat into what we’re able to do."

Zimmerman said he will be meeting with his staff to start kicking around what the impact might be on the plan and what options remain open.

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