“We see this as a way to greatly improve traffic flow at start and dismissal times and also for activities held at the elementary building,” Hofer told The News-Herald.
Bids for the project are due by Monday at 1 p.m. If bids are accepted by the school board Monday night, the schedule calls for completion of the work by Oct. 28 according to Hofer.
Hofer said there are 75 parking spaces on the east side of the building and about 10-12 front. The proposed new lot would add an additional 74 or 75 spaces, she said.
The area would include handicap parking space and be lighted.
The plan calls for a 190 ft. x 147 ft. parking lot to the south of the existing spaces in front of the elementary building. Access would be off of Country Club Drive from the east.
Some of the existing curbs to the north would be ground to allow for proper drainage, Hofer said. Plans call new curb along Country Club Drive with no curbs to the south and west of the parking area.
The school, on Tama’s northwest side, opened in 2006
Article Photos
'No parking' has been the problem at the South Tama elementary School since opening in 2006 as this view of the east lot shows on opening day for the fall term on Aug. 24.The STC School Board is planning a possible expansion of the parking area located south of the school. News-Herald/John Speer