Riverview SD previews $15–$16.8 million junior–senior high renovation; board weighs financing and tax impacts

Dan Egan of Grab Collective presented preliminary designs and cost estimates for a proposed junior–senior high capital project at the Riverview School District study session on April 13. The project packages described included a multi‑purpose assembly addition with flexible flat floor and telescoping seating, a lower‑level wrestling/fitness room and team storage, renovated locker rooms and expanded arts and tech ed spaces.

Egan said construction costs for the multi‑purpose/addition package were estimated at approximately $10.2 million to $10.9 million, with the locker/team‑room package at about $0.9 million to $1.2 million and the tech/arts renovations at about $1.5 million to $1.7 million. "If we did everything," Egan said, "you're between about $15 million and $16+ million," a range he emphasized is preliminary and subject to refinement in design development.

Sheila (Ms. Luber) briefed the board on the district's capital funding and preliminary financing scenarios. The district's capital projects fund balance was cited at about $4.3 million; staff discussed combining reserves with a bond issue and shared prior bond‑rate quotes (PNC) from November near 5.01%–5.04% for $6M, $8M and $10M issues. Ms. Luber said recent geopolitical events had pushed quotes up roughly a half‑percentage point and recommended monitoring rates before finalizing a sale. She provided a sample tax calculation showing a 0.8925‑mill index increase would raise about $223.13 annually on a $250,000 assessed home.

Board members discussed priorities and phasing: several said the multi‑purpose/auditorium space is the highest priority, with tech/arts and locker renovations secondary. Egan recommended two summers of construction work to minimize disruption, and he said geotechnical borings and a civil survey would be the next steps if the board directs advancing design.

No commitment to proceed was taken at the study session. Administrators and consultants recommended board action to authorize the next design phase (soil borings, civil and geotechnical studies and design development) and to return with refined cost estimates, financing scenarios, and a proposed timeline for public information and a bond sale if approved.