BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — A capital project presentation that outlines $23.5 million in improvements to Potsdam Central will happen online later this month.

“So if there weren’t enough going on already, we’re trying to get a capital project off the ground,” said PCS Superintendent Joann Chambers.

There would be no tax increase, according to Chambers. The district plans to use $1.5 million from its capital reserve toward the project to make the project tax neutral. State aid would cover the bulk cost of the project.

A public hearing will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. The link is http://bit.ly/2021captialproject

Architect Matt Schools is handling the bulk of the work for the district and plans to be in attendance of the online presentation.

People can participate electronically and ask questions.

“At this point we’re really presenting broad brushstrokes of this project,” Chambers said.

The cost by building is about $8.7 million for the middle school, $8.5 million for the high school, $5 million for elementary, $730,000 for the bus garage, $377,636 for district-wide costs and $72,000 for the Annex building.

The scope of the work includes restroom improvements, track & field surface reconstruction, upgrades to boilers and heating units, expansion of HS kitchen area, and district-wide technology and security improvements.

The district is planning a capital project referendum Feb. 10 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the HS auditorium.

Construction is slated to begin in spring 2023.