North High Expansion to Proceed on Schedule

Despite uncertainties concerning stormwater management ordinances at the County level, construction projects at will continue on schedule.

While there are still no guarantees anticipated less restrictive stormwater laws will be enacted by the time summer construction gets around to installing the stormwater management systems, 's Director of Physical Plant and Operations Marty Schack feels confident things will work out.

“We are assuming moving forward with this project this year the ordinance will pass and we'll reduce our cost,” Schack said during Monday night's D99 board meeting, adding that the proposed ordinance revisions appear to be ready for an action item at the County level.

If the County passes the less restrictive ordinances and the village adopts them in time, the district is expected to save an estimated $500,000 by not having to build as many stormwater management systems during the North High construction project. If it doesn't work out that way, Schack said, the money has always been budgeted to build the full system.

Schack added the construction project is versatile enough to avoid installing unnecessary systems if the ordinances are passed after construction has started.

“This plan is flexible enough that when and if the new ordinance is passed we'll be able to change midstream and not build the systems currently required,” Schack said.