New Building Proposed For Mack School Pupils

A tentative recommendation to build a new $1.9 million Mack Elementary School facility, possibly on land continguous to the present Mack site, was presented last night to the Ann Arbor Board of Education by School Supt. W. Scott Westerman, Jr. Westerman said a final recommendation is contingent upon an analysis of the iV to 5 acres of unoccupied land which might be available to the school district. An architect's investigaron revealed a totally new building Lor Mack students would cost I only $221,000 more than renovating the oíd facility on Miller Ave., Westerman said, an estimate which carne as a "great surprise" to school officials. The estimated cost for a completely new basic facility is $1,891,000; while the cost to renovate the old Mack building would be $1,670,000. Mack School was built in 1923. With a number of supplementary instructional areas being recommended, such asan instructional foods center and carpeting in the classrooms, the cost of a new Mack facility would be $1,933,000. This does not include site development or site acquisition fees, equipment cost or architects' fees - expected to cost an additional $200,000. The superientendent said he could think of "several very important uses" for the old Mack School if a new building were built. The old building could be used as an administrative facility, for example, he said, along with the Jones [Building. The present main administrativo building at 1220 Wells could then be used as a learning center for disruptive youth, Westerman added. The cost to build a new Mack School will be part of a five-part bonding issue for Ann Arbor School District voters June 8. Westerman said he is hopeful the additional acreage can be obtained by the school district. If it is decitled the 4V4 to 5 unoccupied acres contiguous to the present Mack School are sufficient for a new school, it probably would not be necessary to undertake condemnation procedures of any homes in the área, he added. School boards have the right of "eminent domain," meaning t h e y can appropriate private property for public use, with monetary compensation being given. A special Mack School Citizens' Committee submitted a report a few weeks ago, giving its recommendations for a new or renovated building. Eenovation has been considered for several years. Sam M. Sniderman, assistant superintendent for instruction, says with the exception of carpeting in the classrooms and an instructional foods center (kitchen) which could be used to provide hot breakfasts or lunches, the recommended Mack facility would be a "standard" building. If the present Mack School is used for administrative purposes, it would need some renovation. But the cost would be much less than renovation for student purposes, according to Westerman. Westerman also emphasized that until this week he had given no thought to using Mack as an administrative facility, and said the f act that the cost of renovating or building a new facility is so close carne as a great surprise to him.