Spokane Public Schools says it plans to start three construction projects this spring and summer with an estimated combined value of $2.4 million that will be paid for with savings left over from previous projects funded under the $165 million 2003 bond levy.

One project will be a $1.1 million addition and remodel at the district's facility services building, which houses some of the district's administrative offices, at 2815 E. Garland, in the Hillyard neighborhood, says Greg Brown, the district's director of capital projects. Two other projects are to include new ball fields near Pacific Park, in the Indian Trail neighborhood, and ball-field improvements at Shadle Park High School, in northwest Spokane, Brown says.

The facilities services building project will include constructing a 9,000-square-foot addition and remodeling the 18,000-square-foot two-story portion of the 95,000-square-foot building. That project is out to bid, and Brown says he expects the district will select a contractor for it this month. Madsen Mitchell Evenson & Conrad PLLC, of Spokane, designed the project.

The facilities services building, located on the south side of Garland Avenue, near Regal Street, was built in 1978 as a warehouse and shop building.

"Over the years it has held a lot of other departments," Brown says.

The structure, though, doesn't have proper facilities to meet federal accessibility requirements for office space, he says, adding, "It's a cramped, dark building."

Some district personnel there are housed in portable buildings. "We would like to consolidate and have real office space with restrooms and elevators," Brown says.

The district also is requesting bids for construction of ball fields on 6 acres of land at 8421 N. Parkway, adjacent to Pacific Park, in the Indian Trail neighborhood.

"The plan is to develop two satellite baseball-and-softball practice fields for North Central High School," Brown says. Currently, the school's teams practice on city property or vie for time and space on North Central's campus fields. The preliminary cost estimate for the Pacific Park ball field project is $750,000. The bid deadline for that project is May 25.

Also this month, the district will issue a call for bids to add an irrigation system and other improvements to ball fields at Shadle Park High School, at 4327 N. Ash, Brown says. That project is expected to cost about $500,000.

Integrus Architecture PS, of Spokane, designed the Pacific Park ball-field project, and Bernardo Wills Architects PC, of Spokane, designed the planned Shadle Park field improvements.

The 2003 bond levy has funded modernization projects at Rogers and Shadle Park high schools, a new gym at Ferris High School, and three new elementary school buildings.