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TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 25, 1997 <br /> <br />earlier occupation of the new facility by students, by as much as six months. Dr. Trollinger emphasized that at <br /> <br />no time during any of the alternatives was demolition of the old Albert Harris Facility discussed, nor was such <br />an action ever considered. He went on to state that a number of alternative uses for the existing Albert Harris <br />School had been considered. Mr. Reynolds then noted a number of these alternatives, including School <br />Administrative offices, Alternative. and Adult Education programs, Leisure Services and Senior Services <br />facilities, a Youth Center, and revolving class room space for a variety of uses, with the potential involvement <br />of the Patrick Hertry Community College, Old Dominion University, National Business College, and others. <br />Mr. David Bandy, of Smith and Associates, went on to discuss some of these alternative uses at length, <br />stating that the large gymnasium and the auditorium of the old facility would be kept and maintained. Ms. <br />Gloria Hylton asked whether the City had any specific uses for the old facility in mind, to which Mr. Reynolds <br />replied that many of the scenarios mentioned had been considered, and that any such uses would be initiated in <br />a phased manner, according to resources available and the desires of the community. He also stated that the <br />financial role in such a process would be the responsibility of the City. He noted that operational costs for use <br />of the facility under such alternatives would go down, and that although there were ongoing relationships with <br />such entities as the Community College, no agreements had been secured for their use of the building. Mr. <br />Reynolds went c~n to state that under the new construction process there would be at least two years during <br />which to plan and execute the new uses of the building, and that a number of the functions placed there were <br />already placed and funded elsewhere. Consequently, their move might result in some cost savings over <br />current budgets. Ms. Hylton then commented that although she saw the recommended plan as a good <br />concept, she remained concemed about the size of the proposed new school, the cost of a new road to. serve <br />it, and the land conditions of the proposed site. Another member of the group present commented that she <br />felt the Albert Harris school should stay as is, and where is, and be renovated. Dr. Trollinger then elaborated <br />on the needs of the education program, stating that the current 130,000 square feet of the existing building <br />was well beyond the needs of a typical elementary school today, and that 87,000 square feet was a more <br />appropriate size for the projected use. He noted that the proposed new facility was above average in <br /> <br /> <br />