Public hears SHS renovation options

Sarasota County principals, teachers, school staff, parents and students — and a group of architects — yesterday participated in the first of two design charrettes for the $26.5 million Sarasota High renovation.

Lori White, superintendant of Sarasota County schools, welcomed attendees to the standing-room-only event at the conference center at Sarasota County Technical Institute. The two-day event is aimed at aggregating public opinion, and ultimately ranking in terms of preference, three conceptual designs for the project.

“I hope you remember, listen, think and speak, and I know you’re going to have great results over the next few days,” White told the audience.

Attendees were given nametags with colored stickers indicating their status as stakeholders. Parents, teachers, community business leaders, and several other groups received assigned colors and were encouraged to avoid sitting at the same table as those with the same color.

Harvard Jolly Inc., the St. Petersburg-based architecture firm that presented the three renovation options, was prepared for public concern about modifications to the Paul Rudolph-designed Building 4. The Harvard Jolly project manager Drazen Ahmedic led the presentation and quickly discussed the first option.

“Option one does the two no-no’s that we’ve been hearing about: it does enclose the entryway to building four as well as demolish the west gym, which was also a Rudolph building,” said Harvard Jolly project manager Drazan Ahmedic. He led the audience two more options and said that there could be as many as three additional options added to the group of design in the future.

School Board members were barred from the event to promote uninhibited dialogue among stakeholders. However, School Board Vice Chair Carol Todd stopped by the entrance to inquire about the turnout.

Stakeholders will at 5:30 this evening in the same room break into groups and are expected decide on a ranking of the proposed designs.

Pick up a copy of the June 14 edition of the Pelican Press for more information about the project and pictures of conceptual design options.