SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
We have a clearer idea of what some residents want for the future of Bryant Elementary school, in Sioux City. In the past folks, who live in the neighborhood around Bryant, supported plans to put the school in Leif Erikson Park. The city council refused to consider it.
Tuesday night, new plans to put a new Bryant Elementary on the current school site were revealed. The two plans, paid for by Klinger Companies president John Gleeson, are slightly different. One school design includes underground parking, while the other has a more traditional layout. Both concepts impressed the neighborhood.
"They were well developed, they showed great use of the current Bryant block, and looks like a great exciting prospect to go after now," said Kristin Montequin, Sioux City.
The concepts shown are just that, concepts. But it was enough to get the attention of school board members.
Board president Mike Krysl said the board will study the options, and revisit the use of the current Bryant site. But, he says, some issues still need to be addressed, like parking, traffic patterns, and playground space.
"I think we saw another option or two that is a little different than from what was previously considered, because the architects rendering those options were different architects, and so I think that's new data, new information, and that's why we need to go back and take a look at this again. And I think we owe it to the community to undertake that level of due diligence," said Mike Krysl, School Board President.
Even though the drawings are of a school on the current Bryant site, Leif Erikson Park is still the preferred choice of some. The park has been discussed as a possible site for the new school, but city council has denied the land, and the school board wants to respect that.
Council members were impressed with the concepts presented Tuesday night, and like the fact it is set on the current site. "We don't have any skin in this game at the time, with the school being built right on Bryant, but we did cause of Leif Erikson is our park," said Rhonda Capron, Sioux City City Council.
The school board will have a work session November 8th to consider future facilities and if the buildings will support learning needs down the road. Of course, Bryant will be discussed.
