1908 high school - what are your thoughts?

[Ken H]

Marion is working on a proposal to see if the 1908 high school (near the courthouse - most recently the museum, but also used for school board office, library, and grammar school at different times) can be saved, and if so, to determine what would be the best use of the building. So far, four proposals have been floated - a history/heritage center, a music school, an art school/gallery, and a recreation center for youth.

The building's roof, soffits, and attic are in terrible shape, but it seems to be structurally sound. The Town, County, and state are funding architectural and engineering studies to determine a price tag for the building renovations and then it's ongoing upkeep.

The Town is working to use state funds to purchase the building from the county, and then give the building to someone if they can provide a solid plan that includes all renovation and operating costs without using local taxpayer monies, and can provide a positive impact on the downtown.

The Town is looking for proposals, and for ideas, from the community. Is the building something you want to save? What do you think would work there? Do you have an interest in the building for a project?

Email me at [e-mail], or post here.

Thanks!

Ken

[traveler]

well, I am normally the first one to encourage keeping historical sites, but that building is just in horrible shape. I've heard through the grapevine that the town is dropping $45,000 in grant money just to have "experts" come in to give advice on what to do with the building. If that is true, there have to be more productive ways we can spend that money.

I guess if there is someone interested who can privately fund some real and safe renovation of that place, they should have the opportunity, but I certainly don't think the taxpayers should have to pay to keep that place around.

Historical sites are really important to the heritage and culture of a community, but we shouldn't leave every single building standing...especially if its in as bad shape as the old schoolhouse based only on its historical value.

ps.
Lets just say someone does decide to privately fund a local business in that building. Where in the world will people park?

[ken h]

The Town is putting in $2,500 and the County $2,500 toward the study, and the state is putting in the rest. The Town hopes that, if there is a good proposal, the town will be eligible for up to $1 million in state grant funding to do additional improvements in the downtown.

The town and county are partnering on a three-layer parking deck which will primarily be used for court functions during the day, but will be available to everyone during the evening and weekend hours (and of course, during the day as space permits).

Depending upon the use, there still could be a parking issue, no doubt.

I appreciate your insight and comments!

- Ken

[traveler]

ken

thanks for clearing up where the money is coming from.$1 million worth of grants would be amazing!

[Ken H]

Yep -- there will be a "Master Plan" developed as part of this process, so the total $45k isn't just for the schoolhouse. That plan will be unveiled later this month, and it would provide some nice connectivity between the school building, courthouse, new parking deck, Lincoln Theatre (alleyway to be made into a pedestrian walkway with lights and a water feature, maybe), Main Street, Broad Street, the Iron Street Mall, across to the town parking lot. It would include taking the metal and other inappropriate materials off the remaining outdated facades (matching funds for the property owners), plus new streetlights on Broad and Iron Street alleyway beside the Lincoln, new directional signage to get people from the interstate to downtown, and other amenities - similar to the big project we did in the late 90's with Main Street.

We've got a LOT of vacancies right now- a sign of the economy, I'm afraid, so we need to step up what we're doing to continue to make downtown an attractive and safe place for business, especially with the new development at exit 47 in the que. A healthy and vibrant downtown means more than a pretty place - it's local tax revenue and jobs for our neighbors, plus convenience and service.

Again - thanks for you interest! Annybody else with ideas/comments on the old schoolhouse?

[druz]

why not move the sheriff's department there. You see other counties utilizing old school's as their Sheriff's offices. The county allowed the building to get in that shape in the first place it should be on them to fix it up.

[Ken H]

Druz - excellent point! I've wondered about reusing it as some sort of county facility - it would provide ready access to the new courthouse, share parking on the new deck, keep people downtown. But the county hasn't taken any interest in doing that - for the sheriff's department, or for treasurer/commissioner of the revenue. I think the renovation price tag is scaring them off, plus, it comes down to a political issue of saving "Marion's school" when others weren't saved, imho. I'll certainly share your comments and suggestion with the team, though. I think a government use is about the only thing short of private party that can save it.

[Ken H]

The Town received three proposals. One is for a cultural heritage center, one is for a music school, and one is for mixed use - condos and office space. All three are being reviewed in Richmond and I should have the consultant's recommendations by Monday. I will post here when I learn more.