BOE has questions for architect finalist

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville School Board members had the chance Tuesday to quiz one of two architect finalists for the new Fair Street School project about what the firm could do for them.

President of H. Lloyd Hill Architects and Associates of Gainesville Steve Hill fielded questions about his firm's ability to build a new energy efficient, space efficient, state of the art facility that meets system needs on the site of the old elementary school.

Hill pledged a personal commitment to the project, underlining that H. Lloyd Hill was a local firm with a long track record of building design in Gainesville and Hall County; Hill stressed that his work would be grounded on what the system's building committee wants, not any pre-conceived design.

"Every comment, every avenue is reviewed so that when the project is developed, when it's finished, everyone will say, that's exactly what we wanted," Hill said.

According to School Superintendent Merrianne Dyer that committee of teachers and community members has already questioned the two architect finalists after months of research and visiting several school campuses similar to Fair Street.

"They have a scope of work of what they would like it to look like," Dr. Dyer said. "They have concrete suggestions."

The project will be funded with revenues from the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) that voters approved two weeks ago. Dr. Dyer said the board hears from the other finalist, Robinson, Loia and Roof, of Atlanta, Thursday afternoon.