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### 02-MV/296/JJS |
### 02-MV/296/JJS
ADA MERRITT MIDDLE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO BEGIN
MAY 25
May 24, 2002
A transition in Miami's educational history will take place
on Saturday, May 25th, as the removal of the existing Ada
Merritt Middle School structure begins to make way for a
historical reconstruction of the original building.
Despite dedicated efforts by the school district over that
last 10 years to save the 1923 structure, the building has
been recommended for replacement by the structural engineer
of record and the construction manager assigned to the
project.
Among the building's problems are structural steel elements
used in the original columns and beams that were found to be
out of compliance. Currently the building is in a weakened
condition, evident from previous repair efforts, and the
situation is made more complex by the approaching hurricane
season. The building has been reinforced with supports, but
it continues to shift, causing a safety-to-life threat.
More than $1.5 million was spent in attempts to save the
historic structure, including a new roof in 2000.
On April 10, school district staff met at Riverside
Elementary School with representatives from various local
historical preservation groups and community activists to
review the condition of the existing building. A tour of
the Ada Merritt facility was conducted, and structural
deficiencies were pointed out. Earlier this week, the
Historic Environmental Preservation Board voted 5-1 to
recommend demolition of the current structure.
A historical reconstruction of the previous structure will
replace the current structure at an estimated cost of $1.9
million plus general condition fees and contingencies, much
less than renovation estimates of up to $5 million. The
building is projected to be completed by the beginning of
the school year 2003, providing a cost and time effective
solution to the problem.