Schools' future up in air

PROVO — Together Jason and Heidi Franklin built a fence for their duplex, half of which they rent out while living and raising their young children in the other half.

Ditto for the sprinkler system.

They've made the home improvements during the past four years of owning the place, west of Timpanogos Elementary.

Amid talk that the Provo School District plans to buy the Franklins' and other nearby houses as well as an adjacent street, the couple has decided they'd be willing to sell, despite their home improvements. Provo School District officials want to expand Timpanogos' property and rebuild it.

"As long as they give us a fair market price," Jason Franklin said.

The Franklins are among a half dozen neighbors who are in the dark about the future of the neighborhood near 500 North and 500 West.

They have plenty of questions: Will they receive fair market prices for their houses? Will they be seized by eminent domain? What's the timeline?

Provo School District officials say they cannot answer those questions just yet.

They said they haven't spoken with the residents because they are waiting for voters to tell them whether they are willing to provide the bond money needed to move the project forward, replacing the older existing building with a more modern and spacious facility.

Any talk now would be speculation, said Greg Hudnall, the district's student services director.

The bond election, in which voters will approve or disapprove $35 million in construction projects at various schools, is scheduled for June 27, the same day as the primary election to finalize the ballot names for the November election.

If Provo residents agree to a bond issuance, the Timpanogos project will go to the drawing board in 2007 with construction to start 2008, said Kerry Smith, Provo district business director.

For two years, Dale Clark has rented a basement in the neighborhood. He said he had no clue that his apartment could face a wrecking ball in a year or two.

"Well, it kind of stinks," he said. "I would need to find a place."

Caleb Jones, who also did not know about the Timpanogos project, said his stay in the neighborhood is temporary.

"I graduate in May (from college)," he said. "I'll be moving shortly after."

Only Gene Erekson knows the future of his robin eggshell blue house, built in 1894 and in his wife's family since 1937.

At last week's board meeting, he announced "this house is not for sale," and board members said they will honor his decision.

Erekson said he heard about the Timpanogos proposal at a recent open house at which the bond proposal was explained to the public by district officials.

Also in "to be decided later" status is the future of Grandview Elementary.