Plans Continue For Gene Dillon Elementary School

While no construction has officially started yet, plans for the new Gene Dillon Elementary School in Bemidji are moving quickly.

In 2014 the Bemidji School District voted to approve a tax increase to build the new elementary school. Fast forward to 2016 and the start of construction has never been closer. On December 8^th the bidding process began and its now up to Kraus Anderson to go over the 150 plus bids to build the school and bring their recommendations to the school board.

Over the past few years, issues of communication between the city of Bemidji, Beltrami County and the school district have put the project in jeopardy. During a Bemidji city work session last November, it was decided that the city would extend utilities to Adams Avenue and the school would then run a line to connect to city services. The city negotiated a deal with the school district to not annex the schools property until the school officially connects to city services helping the school save some money during its construction.

Currently the site of Gene Dillon Elementary School is just a snow covered field but in two years the all 4^th and 5^th grade school will be in place and will feature decorative designer terrazzo floors an additional gym and high tech classrooms.

While stressed relations between the school district and the city of Bemidji remain, the Beltrami County is looking ahead to what they need to do, to ensure that its roadways are ready and safe for everyone.

The county recently ran a traffic study and currently is working on recommendations that will impact Becida Road, Division Street and Adams Avenue.  But with construction happening this spring, the county has had to move quick.

The county will hold its next meeting to discuss the school and the road reconstruction projects for the school on January 3^rd.