By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

After fire destroyed the Parkland School District bus garage in February 2018, reconstruction was delayed due to building code requirements and changes in the insurance adjusters who were working on the matter.

Bids were approved at the Oct. 20 school board meeting and the project will soon start.

Director of Community Relations and Development Nicole McGalla told The Press a feasibility study was undertaken to determine what would need to be done to bring the new garage up to code.

The report indicated sprinklers, toilets, mechanical room and a custodians’ closet would be needed.

As there was no water or sewer at the site along Stadium Drive, district officials had to find a way to make those connections.

The outcome was to obtain water from the Limekiln Road line and to tie into the sewage facilities at the stadium.

Although the burned garage was covered by Liberty Insurance, settlement was delayed because three different adjusters were assigned to the case.

The first one retired and the second one took a different position.

The third one then arrived to work on the matter.

Each change slowed down proceedings as each adjuster had to become familiar with the situation and Parkland representatives.

Another delay resulted from the district decision to include offices and a training room for transportation staff in the new building.

Plans had to be prepared for those facilities which are not covered by the insurance payout for the burned garage.

The district wanted to get the process moving this spring but was set back by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are catching up now after COVID,” McGalla said. “It all took time to figure out what was best and most cost effective.”

Liberty Mutual provided $1,526,388 for replacement of the burned out garage.

Through the capital projects fund, the district will pay $431,909 for the offices and training room to be included in the new building.