By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
Construction of the new Chapel Hill-Carrboro elementary school could be delayed because a neighboring developer has not yet granted a necessary easement.
The school is under construction on the corner of Dromoland and Eubanks roads.
Orange County officials and M/I Homes, the developer of the neighboring property, have not reached a cost-sharing agreement for the installation of a sewer line and road access, according to county and school officials.
However, county officials have revised the proposed cost-sharing agreement and expect to obtain the easement soon.
“I have no reason to believe otherwise,†said Pam Jones, purchasing director for the county. “It’s just a matter of doing the due diligence and making sure everything’s in line.â€
Without the easement, construction can continue, but contractors will need the sewer line long before construction is completed.
“We have enough work to keep us busy,†said William Mullin, director of facilities maintenance for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
According to Steve Scroggs, assistant superintendent for support services for the schools, construction is about 28 days behind schedule, with substantial completion expected by June 25. School officials had initially projected substantial completion by May 28.
“We are running a little bit behind,†Scroggs said. However: “We’re not in the panic zone yet.â€
Regarding the easement, he added, “I think we’ve gotten the attention that we need. Now we’ve got to fight with OWASA language and M/I Homes language to move it forward.â€
The school is expected to open in the fall of 2008 with a capacity of 585 students.