USD 475 has announced that the City of Junction City has issued a construction permit for the new high school. That will allow for the start of concrete work and vertical construction immediately.

“Fire Chief Terry Johnson and his staff have poured themselves into completion of construction plan reviews, ” said David Wild, USD 475 Chief Operations Officer.

The city staff has recorded more than 600 hours of review time and has obtained expertise from Hutchinson, and a consultant from the Kansas City area.

“Allen Dinkel and the Chief recognized the enormity of the review consisting of approximately 1,200 pages of plans and future inspection tasks. They then assembled a team of qualified personnel to perform the review,” Wild added.

Costs associated with reviews and inspections are offset by permit fees paid by the District.

The recent approval of construction costs for the building and athletic facilities by the board of education is allowing Hutton Construction to make final subcontract awards and prepare a construction timeline.

The high school project remains on schedule for completion in time for an opening of the new school in August of 2021.