HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-18 Public Comment - J. Hsu - Van Winkle StadiumFrom:Justin Hsu
To:Agenda
Subject:Van Winkle Stadium public comment
Date:Monday, August 20, 2018 12:56:46 PM
I'm writing (again) to express my misgivings over the high school's plan to move Van Winkle
Stadium north of Ruth Thibeault Way.
My understanding is that the original plan involved renovating the stadium in place, and wasloosely estimated to cost 7 million dollars. When the estimates came back, according to an
article in the Chronicle, they were "$2.4 million over budget". If I'm understanding thatcorrectly, that would indicate a bid of $9.4 million, which was rejected on the basis of being
too expensive. The idea of moving the stadium was, if I'm understanding correctly, originallyintended to avoid several unforeseen expenses in the renovation of the existing stadium, such
as a nearby water main and drainage problems created by installing artificial turf. However,the price of the project is currently at $11.5 million. Is the plan to move the stadium still more
cost-effective than renovating in place, or was the original plan prematurely discarded? To me, it sounds like returning to the original
plan would save $2.1 million and preserve a couple acres of greenspace, even with theexpenses which were not included in the original estimate. I realize that a lot of work has
gone into the design of the new stadium at this point, but I think it's worth checking that thebig picture is being considered.
Thanks very much for your time,
Justin Hsu1412 Durston Rd.