Whitehall CSD looks to purchase land for new transportation facility

WHITEHALL, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- On Tuesday, April 1, the Whitehall Central School District Board of Education approved a proposal to acquire land for a new transportation facility. The proposal will be placed on the May ballot for district voters to decide on.

According to the district, the proposed property spans 7.32 acres, located at 270 Broadway, the former McDonald's property. It is equipped with water and sewer infrastructure, power, underground drainage and is in a commercially friendly area.

Superintendent of Schools Patrick Dee said if approved, the land will be purchased through the District's unallocated reserve funds, costing nothing to taxpayers.

"This project represents a strategic investment in the future of our district’s transportation services," Dee said. "By utilizing existing reserve funds, we can address a critical need without placing additional financial burden on our taxpayers."

The current transportation facility was built in 1964 and has since raised concerns for the district. According to the district, those concerns include the following:

• Garage Size Limitations, causing the district to purchase shorter buses
• Aging and Inadequate Equipment: the garage lift has failed inspection multiple times
• Structural Issues: The pit underneath the garage, where the lift is, has ongoing water issues
• Lack of Facilities: Bathrooms are not suitable for staff
• Insufficient Space: No designated space for drivers
• No Bus Protection: The buses are exposed to harsh weather conditions
• Utility Limitations: Utilities cannot support modern operations
• Campus Space Constraints: No space on the current campus to build the facility

The proposal will be placed on the May ballot as a resolution, allowing the community to weigh in on the initiative while also voting on the budget and board members. The vote, however, is strictly for the purchase of the land; construction will be planned at a later time.

Updates and additional information will be shared on the District's website and social media accounts.