LISD Eyes Architects For Potential Shelter Project

LATEXO - While Latexo Independent School District is awaiting approval of a federal windstorm-shelter grant, trustees are looking for an architect for the possible project - though no action has been taken on the matter at this time.

During the board’s regular December meeting three firms were interviewed, but the board decided to table naming which to choose. LISD will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 to consider selecting one of the firms.

Representatives from Boyton, Williams & Associates out of Dallas, Goodwin-Lasiter, Inc. from Lufkin and College Station and Leland Gray Architects from Salt Lake City, Utah, were present Monday night.

According to Steve Risser and Jeff Ball of Boyton, Williams & Associates, their firm has worked for more than 40 years specializing in rural school district and healthcare facilities in Texas and Oklahoma.

“Over the years, we’ve completed over 50 projects that are FEMA shelters,” Risser said.

He said their firm would also work with the district to conduct a facility study to figure out how the shelter would factor in to other parts of the campus. Ball pointed out there are concerns where the current proposed site is because sewer lines run through it.

Another matter Risser said his firm has experience with is working with tight budgets. He estimated if the district wants to utilize the shelter as a gym with a vertical wall, it would cost about $195 per square foot. A dome gym without accessories such as bleachers would cost $120 per square foot. Risser said the project could be completed in nine to 10 months, and fees are established based on a percentage of the total cost of the project.

Larry Lasiter and Ken Jones represented Goodwin-Lasiter, Inc. The firm has already attended prior meetings regarding the storm shelter and drafted drawings to show at public meetings. Lasiter told board members they are not locked into those designs if they change their minds.

“You need to really look at this facility as what you’re going to use it for, and it’s our job to make sure that it will function as a shelter when it’s called upon,” Lasiter said.

Since the firm is located in the region, Lasiter said it enables them to have a close eye on the project all the way through construction; and they have a working relationship with area contractors in addition to being a multidiscipline firm with architectures, engineers and interior workers.

Projects they’ve competed included shelters for the city of Nacogdoches and Angelina College, Shelbyville ISD’s gym, Madisonville ISD’s gym, Rusk ISD’s gym, Grapeland High School and others. Lasiter said they are also capable of working with the topography of the site, for example building locker rooms under the gym if there’s a hill. He estimated the construction would last about 12 to 14 months, and their fees would be about 6.5 percent of construction costs.

Although Leland Gray is based out of state, he said he’s helped design more than 4,000 projects in the country - including the Eielson Air Force Base Fitness Center in Fairbanks, Ala., the Bangor Convention Center and an equestrian center in Puyallup, Wash.

He has also worked on other FEMA projects and is assisting Crockett ISD with its storm shelter project.

“I want to give you your idea, not my idea,” Gray said.

He said he is experienced in working with the acoustics of the building if the district decides to use the shelter as a gym for games or graduation. He said he also uses a mechanical, European style air conditioning system. According to Gray, the system is quieter and saves on energy costs.

Depending on which type of building LISD elects for the project, Gray estimated costs to be between $2.1 and $2.3 million. His charges would be 6 percent of construction costs, and actual construction could last from six months to a year.

The board voted to appoint board members Jennifer Patton, Mike Furrh and Kent Clark to the district’s capital improvement committee. The committee will attend district steering committee meetings with the public regarding the windstorm shelter grant.