In hard-hat parlance, it’s shovel ready.

The machinery started fueling up in November 2008 when Oregon Trail School
District voters approved a $115 million bond measure to build a new Sandy
High.

Now, barring any last-minute appeals, construction is set for July 7 with a
groundbreaking ceremony to mark the spot.

“I want to thank the Sandy Planning Commission for approving the new high
school land-use application and giving the go-ahead to start work on our new
campus,” Superintendent Shelley Redinger said. “It was quite an involved
process to reach a final design that everyone could agree to, but the result
will be a fabulous education facility for our community.”

Planning Director Tracy Brown issued the final order May 20, one week after
the planning commission unanimously passed the district’s effort to receive a
conditional land-use permit.

The decision did not come without opposition, as Kathleen Walker, chair of
Sandy’s park board, had opposed the architectural style and expressed
concerns regarding north-south pedestrian connectivity with Bell Street (which
fronts the new school) to Bluff Road.

Brown believes the process went relatively smoothly.

“There’s nothing really to compare it to in the sense of its size,” he said. “The
district made some necessary changes, but it went in an expedient fashion.
We wanted to work with them and it helped that we weren’t as busy as other
times.”

Brown has no knowledge of an impending appeal.
“There are rumors and rumblings,” he said. “But until someone puts up the
money?”

Ultimately, the land-use approval included two variances: (1) maximum
building structure height (35 feet), to allow construction of an 81-foot
theater/auditorium fly loft and gymnasium; and (2) minimum bicycle
requirements – from 593 to 96.

Konell now goes to work.

“It’s exciting to finally see local workers (from Konell) setting up to break
ground,” Redinger said. “So many of our community members have been

waiting to be put to work, and this week they will throw on their rain gear and
begin the tree removal process.”

Barring any appeals, that is.