KEARNEY — The Sunrise Middle School traffic flow and parking lot renovation project was approved during the Kearney Public School Board of Education’s meeting on Monday, Oct. 13.
Superintendent Jason Mundorf reviewed the project and noted there are 140 parking spaces at Sunrise Middle School at the moment and when this project is completed, there will be a total of 211.
Looking at a concept site plan, there will be a lot with 116 stalls between the school and N Ave. There will also be three lanes that will allow for drop off and pick up in front of the building.
On the northeast side of the school there will be 43 stalls, with a bus lane to the south on the backside of the school. On the southeast side of the school there will be two lots with 23 stalls and 29 stalls.
Mundorf said the additional parking will help accommodate more events that will be hosted as Sunrise in the future.
The traffic flow changes would see vehicles exiting N Ave. on 45th St. and then into the three lanes that pass in front of the school. After drop off or pick up, vehicles will then proceed to the north around Sunrise and then will arrive back on 45th St.
It was also noted that the City of Kearney has plans for intersection improvements for 45th St. and N Ave. that was on their one-and-six-year road plan. City staff said have been complaints about this intersection, especially when school traffic is involved.
The estimated cost of the project is $2,000,000 that will be paid from the Special Building Fund. Mundorf said if approved, the completion date of the project would be in the fall of 2026 prior to school starting.
Board member Amanda Smallcomb said that she is excited for the added safety that will result from the project.
Board member Drew Blessing noted that this project has nothing to do with the rezoning of elementaries in the district to help balance class sizes at Horizon and Sunrise Middle School.
Blessing added that this project has been in the works for several years.
The board unanimously approved the project.
