Public gets first look at Muldown designs concept

A small audience of Whitefish community members and educators recently got a look at preliminary plans of a new kindergarten through fourth-grade school that will replace Muldown Elementary.

The preliminary layout was presented by architects Steve L’Heureux and Tim Peterson of L’Heureux Page Werner and project manager Dow Powell of Dow’s Custom Construction at a public forum held March 22 at Muldown.

“This is the first community forum after we have passed our bond and started our design process,” said Whitefish School District Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt, noting that the district is now in the process of selecting a general contractor and anticipates making a recommendation to the school board in April.

A $26.5 million bond issue to build a new elementary school was supported by more than 60 percent of voters in October 2017. Bonds will also fund demolishing and retaining portions of Muldown for later re-purposing.

The new two-story school will be built south of Whitefish High School, adjacent to Muldown, on the corner of East Seventh Street and Pine Avenue.

The current design could accommodate more than 750 students, up to a maximum of 800. Muldown is already the largest K-4 elementary in the state. Current total enrollment stands at 704 students.

In this stage of design, architects are focused on defining square footage and pinning down the orientation of rooms in regard to how they will be used, how students will move throughout the building, security, safety and natural lighting.

On the first floor, the current concept is to house kindergarten in a wing with its own playground to the west. Grades first and second would also be located on the first floor in addition to two music rooms and an art/enrichment room. Grades third and fourth would be located on the second floor. The playground area for first- through fourth-graders is proposed on the east side of the building.

Breakout areas and resources rooms would be located throughout. Architects are also outlining areas for future expansion if needed.

A large commons area to be used for dining and other purposes will serve as the “showpiece” of the first floor in the current concept L’Heureux said. Nearby, would be a library media center.

To the northern part of the building an 8,000-square-foot gym is being proposed. Peterson said a partition wall could be used to divide the gym that will have bleacher seating to accommodate up to 800 people.

The flow of foot traffic is a balancing act with security.

The main entrance, for example, has been moved from off the commons — where it was placed in an earlier version — closer to one of two parking lots for improved security.

“By moving the entrance ... we get a lot more control in this area here,” L’Heureux said noting that there are more barriers to someone accessing a busy place such as the commons.

Powell noted that staff would have a visual of the entrance and parking lot through windows on the first and second floors.

“There are a lot of eyes on the entry to the school,” Powell said. “That was an important factor in the entry design.”

The largest entryway is located on the east side of the building to accommodate a couple hundred students going to recess, for example. One person in the audience voiced concern that may not be large enough. When asked if more exits could be located throughout the building, architects remarked that is already a security issue in Muldown.

Vehicle traffic congestion dominated the questions and concerns of people in the audience. A traffic study conducted by Morrison-Maierle is exploring the issue further.

In the preliminary design, two parking lots are being proposed with designated drop-off and pick-up zones for the general public.

A bus loading and unloading zone would be located in a separate location north of the school.

The goal is also to separate vehicle traffic between the elementary and high school in the vicinity of Whitefish Independent High School. This area is a magnet for congestion according to Whitefish High School Principal Kerry Drown who voiced concerns about small children crossing where young high school students are driving.

“I keep my fingers crossed every day when people are dropping kids off and walking all different directions in that space,” Drown said.

Davis Schmidt said possible solutions to traffic congestion during student pick-up and drop-off times, may include staggering school start times, or adjusting bus routes — possibly adding one for kindergarten through third graders to increase ridership.

“This just reinforces the work we have ahead of us operationally as well as design,” Davis Schmidt said after listening to people’s concerns about traffic. “It’s not one fix.”

Toward the end of the forum, one teacher questioned if building one large elementary school was a mistake and whether or not the school district could reconsider two school buildings instead.

Going back to square one, however, would mean another facility planning process and holding another election for a new bond issue that could put project off for years, according to Davis Schmidt.

Another public forum on facility design is planned at 7 p.m. April 12 in Muldown Elementary.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com