SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
The battle over whether to build a new Bryant Elementary School in Sioux City took a new turn. That's because a neighborhood led group took it upon themselves to find out what it would look like if a new school was built in Leif Erikson Park.
A private citizen hired Cannon, Moss, Brygger Architects to draw a new school concept in the park. Tuesday night, those drawings were presented to people in the neighborhood with the idea that both can co-exist.
This proposal would keep class size small and the school in the neighborhood, versus moving the students to a much larger building elsewhere.
It's been a big debate between the school district, the city, and the neighborhood. Some people at the meeting said they're warming up to the idea after seeing the plans because the park wouldn't lose much green space.
"We didn't get to get heard on our end, so I mean, we're just going to go a different way so that we can get heard that Leif Erikson is a great place to have the school," said John Eveleth, Sioux City.
"We want our kids to have a school. We don't want to be passed over again for building another school and lose out on the kids getting a school," said Jodi Hamer, Sioux City.
"We didn't know that anybody would be opposed to it. It was kind of shocking that the two or three people that showed up to the council meeting were able to sway all the votes to get their point across that no one liked the idea," said Kathleen Rasmussen, Sioux City.
Some opponents are concerned that once you lose park space, you don't get it back.
The Sioux City school board has left Leif Erikson Park as an option, but the city council pulled it off the table. However, after a look at the drawings, council member Rhonda Capron said she might be open to suggestions.
"It's an option. I'm open to anything. I'm not going to not look at it, so, but you know basically, no means no. Unless they can show us something good and something that everybody will be happy with, it probably won't happen," said Rhonda Capron, city council.
About 200 people showed up for the gathering.
It was not sponsored by the City Council or the School Board, it was brought forth by individuals in the neighborhood.
