The Wrangell sentinel., 1948-05-07
KETCHIKAN ENGINEER
 GIVES OPINION ON SCHOOL

Amer Erickson, Of the enginee- rig firm of Erickson, Kangas and Hinkson of Ketchikau, appeared al City Council meeting last night to represent his firm in the process of letting a contract to build the addition to the city school, voted for in the last city election.
 Mr. Erickson said he had spent about three hours that day going over the plans and that his survey was by no means final and accur- ate to the penny but gave his es- inmates as a rough idea of cost.
 In the first place he said his firm could not build the building, as planned, for SS5,0O0. He esti- mated such a structure would be, in his opinion. more like $I15,OO0. But he said as far as he could es- timate roughly the $S5,O0 would cover partial completion of the building which would include the excavation. exterior walls, doors. windows. one class room, the boys shop and gymnasium, except for full installation of plumping. This, Of course, would not include & heating unit. lights, etc.
 Erickson pointed out the adYan- tages of concrete block construc- ton over frame or pour concrete walls and said tests had shown the superiority of it's insulating qual- tiles He said concrete block con struction. which is built around steel farme, costs approximately Sl.00 per square foot whereby rumways. shafts. molds, etc, neces- sary in poured concrete walls brings the cost up to about $500 a square foot He did not recom- mend frame conatruetion under any circumstances. Mir. Erickson came up from Ketchikan, at no ex- pense to the city, to look over the project. He said if the city decided 10 retain his firm they would make a complete and accurate estimate of what they could do for the $s5,- 900 and would stay within that figure, but if they could compltte their bid for less the city would benefit.
 Council thanked MT. Erickson for appearing and after discussion decided to get figures from other architects and firms before making any decision Mir Fabricius ex- plained the $S5,0O0 figure was ar rived at by basing the cost on es- innate of Walter Stutte, who was a contractor at Wrangell saWmill last year. Stutte estimated cost of frame construction al $75.OOO.
 City Attorney H. D. Stabler or Juneau sent an ordinance calling for issuance of the bonds and the Finance Committee, with Council man Meredith Custard. was in structed to meet with the School Board Tuesday evening to continue discussion on construction of the addition. interest on bonds. and contact other firms to get their estimates on construction.
 Matter of S1O,O00 due on teach CTS salaries was raised. The Terri tory has defaulted on salary pay ments in Wrangell to the tune of $10,000 and as school is nearly out it is necessary to raise the money to pay them off. Virtually every town in the Territory has had to borrow to pay the Territory's debt, for which the last legislature fail- ed to appropriate funds, and Coun- eil last night considered issuing in- terest bearing warrants which teachers could ether sell or hold until refunds due from the Terri tory are forthcoming to redeem them
 Supt Geo. Fabricius presented the school budget for the coming year, $14,321.5O which was arr proved by the Council.
 Moving the first-second grade room from the City Hall to the Fire Hall next year was discussed, as heating is not adequate in the present room in winter.