Fairhope, Alabama
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER?
The mayor, four council members, and other interested parties (including a former principal) inspected the K-1 school building this morning, to determine its suitability as a performing arts center for the city. A number of those present actually attended the school themselves or had close family members attend at one time.
The main building was built in 1925 and served as the city's high school for many years; additional classrooms were added in the 1950s. The last kindergartners were transferred to the new elementary school on N. Section St. in 2011.
The group found the building to be in surprisingly good condition considering its age and that it has been sitting mostly vacant for years (it has been used some as a summer camp).
Mayor Kant said that the tour was another step in the process of coming up with a proposal from the city for the Baldwin County School Board. The Superintendent (Dr. Alan Lee) and Board have not yet been officially contacted regarding the matter.
(Mayor Kant said earlier that one member thought the Board may eventually decide to demolish the building and build a new school there)
Kant: "...we desperately need to do something with this school that's just sitting here vacant. This is a first step ... looking at what we have before getting a plan together to take before the School Board."
He proposed the same group travel to Andalusia, Al. to view another old school that has been converted to an arts center -- the Church Street Arts Center -- as they did during a similar trip to Ocean Springs, Ms. last month.
Preliminary plans include forming a private, non-profit corporation to help raise money for the purchase and operation of the building.
(If the K-1 building cannot be acquired, the mayor said he still wanted to proceed with the project somewhere else, possibly on vacant land behind the library)
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER?The mayor, four council members, and other interested parties (including a former principal) inspected the K-1 school building this morning, to determine its suitability as a performing arts center for the city. A number of those present actually attended the school themselves or had close family members attend at one time.
The main building was built in 1925 and served as the city's high school for many years; additional classrooms were added in the 1950s. The last kindergartners were transferred to the new elementary school on N. Section St. in 2011.
The group found the building to be in surprisingly good condition considering its age and that it has been sitting mostly vacant for years (it has been used some as a summer camp).
Mayor Kant said that the tour was another step in the process of coming up with a proposal from the city for the Baldwin County School Board. The Superintendent (Dr. Alan Lee) and Board have not yet been officially contacted regarding the matter.(Mayor Kant said earlier that one member thought the Board may eventually decide to demolish the building and build a new school there)
Kant: "...we desperately need to do something with this school that's just sitting here vacant. This is a first step ... looking at what we have before getting a plan together to take before the School Board."
He proposed the same group travel to Andalusia, Al. to view another old school that has been converted to an arts center -- the Church Street Arts Center -- as they did during a similar trip to Ocean Springs, Ms. last month.
Preliminary plans include forming a private, non-profit corporation to help raise money for the purchase and operation of the building.
(If the K-1 building cannot be acquired, the mayor said he still wanted to proceed with the project somewhere else, possibly on vacant land behind the library)
Comments
Is there nothing else going on in Fairhope that will occupy the minds and time of our elected officials?
Before everyone starts wailing about the K1 center (AGAIN) please remember this building belongs to Baldwin county not the city of Fairhope.
A performing arts facility would be a great addition and preserving the historic school building an asset.
The flowers and plants distiguish us from the pack. Others are copying.
http://www.mcmenamins.com/KennedySchool
Or this:
http://www.mcmenamins.com/421-old-st-francis-school-home
Both of these properties are old, historic schools that have been completely renovated and have become very successful businesses, employers and tourist attractions.
Might be worth a try...