DANVILLE — The Danville Board of Education approved a $484,610 contract with Energy Optimizers USA to demolish the former Intermediate Building on Monday. The contract isn’t to exceed the stated amount.
The vote was 3-2 with board members Joshua Byers and Dawna Stephens dissenting.
The project isn’t expected to reach over $400,000, Danville superintendent Jason Snively said.
When asked when the demolition would start, Snively said.
The demolition at the 405 South Market St. address also includes removing all friable asbestos from the building, according to an Energy Optimizers USA project document.
The agreement specifies that workers will salvage the “Danville School” limestone arch sign before the demolition. Snively said they have not yet decided what will happen to the sign.
If a nearby farmland is used to haul all debris, the demolition costs will decrease by approximately $16,450, according to the agreement.
Once the demo is complete, the process of planning for an asphalt parking lot with proper drainage and lighting will begin, Snively said. The school board will need to accept a contract for the parking lot site.
Danville citizen Pat Crow opposed the demolition, stating previously that the building could serve community purposes.
Crow is also a member of the Danville Heritage Association, an organization against the former intermediate building’s demolition.
“I want to make sure that the school board and the public knows and understands completely that the Danville Heritage Association has proactively tried to influence the school board and convince the school district to preserve the Danville intermediate school building,” Crow said at Monday’s meeting.
“Our reasons for doing that are all proactive and positive. We don’t want to do anything more than make the community better.”
Crow further said destroying the building is a mistake. He noted the association believes a parking lot arrangement could have been worked out in other locations.
“We will continue to proactively try to convince you that tearing down the building is a mistake until the bulldozer pulls up in front of the building,” Crow said.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.