Fairhope, Alabama
KEEPING FACADE ONLY
According to Mayor Kant, local School Board Representative Robert Callahan has broached the possibility of tearing down the K-1 building on Church St. -- except for the front facade -- and constructing a new building of classrooms for about 700 students.
CITY WANTS IT TOO
The Mayor and city council have been discussing acquiring the long-vacant building and using it as a Performing Arts Center similar to the Mary C. O'keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs Ms. (click).
Mayor Kant: "Ocean Springs is a lot like Fairhope. It would be to our advantage to see what we can do with that building. I think we can make it a performing arts facility and do more with education instead of letting it sit there empty."
Several years ago, Ocean Springs obtained their own vacant historical school building utilizing city funds, federal and state grants -- and a partnership with a non-profit organization that now runs it.
Council member Brewer speculated that a similar model could be used here to preserve and operate the K-1.
When asked about Callahan's demolition proposal, Brewer called it "ridiculous" -- and said she hoped the city could work with the Baldwin Board of Education to come up with a solution that's "best for Fairhope."
The mayor and council recently traveled to Ocean Springs to tour their facility (click).
After returning, Council President Burrell suggested the city would better be served if the BOE considered the two other vacant school buildings in town for expansion needs; and the old K-1 be saved:
KEEPING FACADE ONLY
According to Mayor Kant, local School Board Representative Robert Callahan has broached the possibility of tearing down the K-1 building on Church St. -- except for the front facade -- and constructing a new building of classrooms for about 700 students.
CITY WANTS IT TOO
The Mayor and city council have been discussing acquiring the long-vacant building and using it as a Performing Arts Center similar to the Mary C. O'keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs Ms. (click).
Mayor Kant: "Ocean Springs is a lot like Fairhope. It would be to our advantage to see what we can do with that building. I think we can make it a performing arts facility and do more with education instead of letting it sit there empty."
Several years ago, Ocean Springs obtained their own vacant historical school building utilizing city funds, federal and state grants -- and a partnership with a non-profit organization that now runs it.
Council member Brewer speculated that a similar model could be used here to preserve and operate the K-1.
When asked about Callahan's demolition proposal, Brewer called it "ridiculous" -- and said she hoped the city could work with the Baldwin Board of Education to come up with a solution that's "best for Fairhope."
The mayor and council recently traveled to Ocean Springs to tour their facility (click).
After returning, Council President Burrell suggested the city would better be served if the BOE considered the two other vacant school buildings in town for expansion needs; and the old K-1 be saved:
"I think it is very vital to Fairhope’s Central Business District to keep this historical property a central part of the community as it was for 85 years. If we were to transform it into a Performing Arts Center, or variation thereof, which may include a Fairhope Film Institute, or other cultural endeavors, it would still serve to educate the people of Fairhope as it always has. We must strive to keep the building at or near its current exterior appearance, which adds charm to the downtown area, while the interior would see modern upgrades blended with old charm. The Mary O’Keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs did a great job in balancing old charm with modern amenities.
I understand the BCBE’s concern over student population growth in Fairhope and how that factors in to any decision made to convert the school into any type of cultural center, however, there are currently two other schools in Fairhope that are also sitting empty: the former intermediate school on Fairhope Ave and the former alternative school just south of town. Unless the BCBE decides to re-open the school downtown as a K-1 Center again, I think most people would support the location as a performing arts center. I do think it is critical that any center on that site include an education component."
Comments
My children attended that school and we picked them every day. Traffic was NEVER a problem.
Wait - By some standards, Bob Callahan is old . . .
The teachers told you so.
Not the K1 Center!!!!!!
Let the hysteria begin.
**yawn**
I don't get it. It's just an ordinary, dilapidated building occupying a cog in Fairhope's downtown core. OK, I understand many residents have memories there as students, parents, and even both. There's some emotion. But we all have memories all over town. There's no need to be selfish and cling to them at the expense of the greater good. That's the same sentiment that separates vibrant towns from stagnant town.
Please buy it from the County, tear it down, and put something useful there. It has served it's purpose admirally; but like my favorite dog, it's time has come and gone. RIP Daisy.
TEAR IT DOWN!!! IT'S JUST A BUILDING, PEOPLE!!!