Grand Junction Voters to Decide on Bond to Replace Eisenhower-Era Building

A school district based in Grand Junction may soon see the construction of a long-awaited new high school, depending upon the fortunes of a bond election in November.

Members of the Mesa County Valley School District 51 have voted to put on the ballot a $115 million bond dedicated to the building of a new Grand Junction High School.

The current two-story school, built in 1955 and located at 1400 N. 5th Street, has long been thought to be too small and not up to date for today’s school needs.

The nearly 70-year-old structure has additionally been plagued by a number of structural issues, including the cracking and sinking of its foundation.

Altogether, it is expected to cost around $144 million to build a new facility. Additional funding for the project to the tune of $10 million has been secured through Colorado’s Building Excellent Schools Today grant program.

Another $19.5 million will come from funds originally approved in a 2017 bond measure.

An addition built to the original structure housing a gymnasium, and determined to be in good condition, will be kept intact.

The new three-story school will see construction on the northeast corner of the current Grand Junction High School campus.

Once the new school is completed, plans call for the existing school to be demolished.

The voter approval record for proposed bonds in the District 51 is uneven. In 2017, voters approved a $118 million bond, but two years later rejected a larger $179 million bond.

​By Garry Boulard

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