The San Mateo Union High School District met in the San Mateo City Council Chambers on Thursday evening, March 7th. The primary purpose of this meeting was to conduct a public discussion on the San Mateo High School Draft Environmental Impact Report. The attendance at this meeting was unbelievable. People were standing in the aisles and in the lobby. Everyone was given a chance to speak and the most impressive responses were from the many high school students.
The meeting started at 7:00 p.m. and went to 1:30 a.m. I had intended to present my comments but I had to retire before I was scheduled. However, before leaving I informed Tom Mohr?s staff that I would go on record by writing to Associate Superintendent Bob Arnold and describe the reasons a ?registered engineer? strongly supported the proposed demolition and reconstruction. I asked that this argument be included as an official comment on the draft EIR. My letter to the Associate Superintendent follows:
Dear Mr. Arnold:
I want to thank you for holding the well attended public discussion on the San Mateo High School Draft EIR. It was quite encouraging to experience the overwhelming public support of your planned project.
As you know our entire City Council in Foster City is in strong support of this demolition and new construction project. I would like to bring additional information to this discussion and share with you my experience of over 40 years as a registered professional engineer involved in major construction projects all across our nation.
It is my considered judgement that no truly experienced professional would choose to attempt to renovate, modify, and upgrade, even to diminished codes an 80 year old, multi-storied concrete masonry structure. The results would be:
Uncontrolled costs because of unforeseen site and environmental conditions that would arise,
Uncontrolled schedules resulting from impact delay claims,
Uncontrolled litigation costs necessary to support the above,
A lesser quality building starting with and building up from the foundations, and
A building conforming to a diminished and less safe construction code allowed by Title 24 for historic buildings.
There is no question in my mind but that we would be acting irresponsibly in support of the welfare of our children if we did not support your demolition/new construction project.
Sincerely,
Russell W. Harter, P.E.
Vice Mayor
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