Several members of the Syracuse Joint Schools Construction Board say they will not support any plan for school renovation that does not include Blodgett School.
The board is scheduled to vote on two options Thursday morning. Neither one of the options under consideration include plans to renovate Blodgett. Project developer, Gilbane, says renovating Blodgett, which is one of the oldest schools in the city, would cost close to $50 million dollars and not leave enough money for other schools in need of repair.
But a growing public outcry from parents and community groups on the cities West Side appears to be getting the attention of at least some on the Joint School Construction's nine member board. Bea Gonzalez and Dan Lowengard now say they will vote against any plan tomorrow that leaves Blodgett of the list.
"We need, in my mind, a firm commitment that Blodgett be part of whatever we are doing," Lowengard says. Lowengard says there is a chance the board could push back the vote Thursday in order to give themselves more time to look at other options.
The city says a decision on the use of the renovation funds needs to be reached soon since the state will cut off millions of dollars in aid if construction is not started by July 1st.
