MPCSD closes on IW practice fields

MT. PLEASANT — At Monday night at Mt. Pleasant Community School District Board’s regular meeting Superintendent John Henriksen gave an update on real estate purchases for the school district including the closure on purchasing the practice fields.

“The practice field real estate has closed,” Henriksen informed the board and those present at the meeting. “ … Our total to purchase the practice fields across the street south of Maple Leaf is $115,285. We are now the owners of that.”

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District not only approved the submission of a purchase agreement for the practice fields in August, but also a purchase agreement for a five-parcel lot consisting of the majority of central campus.

According to statements made by IW Board of Trustee Director Bob Miller only the week prior to the school board meeting at the Harlan Lincoln House, while the school district was in their 60 days of due diligence for central campus he anticipated they would ask for the 30 day extension, “They have brought in as a team of experts and professionals to help them evaluate what we have … There’s a lot of square footage here.”

“I reached out to Iowa Wesleyan’s board of trustees Bob Miller asking for the 30-day extension on our due diligence,” Henriksen said at the

According to Henriksen, Miller agreed to the extension moving forward.

During this due diligence the school board has approved the use of Terracon to perform limited a site investigation and building materials survey.

According to Henriksen, the lump sum fee for the limited site survey is $11,500.

“They want to do some additional soil samples on the site,” Henriksen explained.

Henriksen explained this desire to do perform additional soil samples arose when Terracon found old fire maps from the early 1900-1930s, which showed store on the southwest corner of the campus and at some point, a gas tank was identified at this site.

Three other spots grabbed Terracon’s attention.

According to Henriksen, one previous soil sample showed an uptick of arsenic, so, the company wants to do further testing to make sure that is within normal range.

“The maps show years ago there was a pretty heavy industrial site here on the east side of Main Street which included quite a bit of manufacturing over here and chemical production,” Henriksen explained as he showed a map of the grounds. “And so, they want to do two drills here and here to make sure that there hasn't been any leaching over of contaminants.”

In addition to soil samples, Henriksen anticipated Terracon beginning their building materials survey this week.

This will consist of Terracon taking samples from all of the buildings and “looking for a number of different things,” Henriksen said. “Some specific things would include lead-based paint and asbestos.”

The survey and samplings from Terracon will cost the district $41,500 for time and materials.

The board approved both the limited site investigation and building materials survey for a total of $53,000 as they continue due diligence for central campus of IW.

In addition to an update on the IW properties and approval of due diligence expenses, MPCSD board also approved a purchase agreement for 1515 East Monroe St.

“So this is something that we have been working on for a long time,” Henriksen said of the 3.4 acres of land the board has been considering purchasing for a bus garage, buildings and grounds, and central receiving location.

“The current facilities are quickly becoming obsolete,” Henriksen said.

With agreement from all present members of the board, excluding Josh Maher, they approved the $150,000 purchase agreement for this land with a 90-day due diligence.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com