Baker Middle School Pauses Construction on New Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Building
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the Baker School District) Construction on Baker School District’s new Middle School Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Building began on April 3 but has subsequently paused due to the discovery of underground concrete slabs on the jobsite.
These slabs were not discovered during the preconstruction process involving the Oregon Heritage/State Historic Preservation Office and the geotechnical assessment performed by GN Northern, which included a soils evaluation involving test pits in the affected area. Following discovery, the Oregon Heritage/State Historic Preservation Office has been contacted and construction on the site has been paused for further assessment by archaeology firm Inland NorthwestCultural Resources, who visited the site on April 25 and will be preparing a report of findings. That report will be reviewed by the Oregon Heritage/State Historic Preservation Office, which will advise Baker School District on the next steps.
It appears that the original building where Helen M. Stack – the namesake of the current Baker Middle School building – taught was located on the site where the new Middle School Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Building is being built, and the original foundation was never fully removed. A memorial display is being planned that incorporates this latest development.
Regular construction is expected to resume within approximately one month; and, in the meantime, utility work outside the affected area will continue. At this time, the impact to the project budget is unknown.
Our community can stay current on school district bond projects by visiting the bond website at www.bond.bakersd.org
