LHC gets bid for school parking lot

Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees awarded a contract to rebuild the Flathead High School east parking lot in front of the school.

On Tuesday, trustees approved Kalispell company LHC Inc.’s base bid of $255,240.90.

The district set aside $270,000 from the high school building reserve for the project that will add between 20 to 25 diagonal parking spaces in front of the school.

Additionally, the roadway will be widened by approximately three feet. The sidewalk abutting the road will be replaced, creating curb ramps in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The location of the parking lot is currently a drop-off and pick-up location for buses and other vehicles. Bus and vehicle drop-off and pick-up will move to the north side of the school.

Superintendent Mark Flatau said the primary reason for the parking lot project is to address significant drainage issues.

“Plus, the parking lot is quickly breaking up into cobble,” Flatau said. “In the process of addressing drainage we’re able to resurface the lot.”

A benefit of additional parking is that it works toward fulfilling an agreement between the school district and a west-side neighborhood group to add at least 25 parking spaces as part of a broader proposed parking district.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.