Fairhope, Alabama
fairhopetimes@att.net
NO FORMAL PROPOSALS YET
After being asked by Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation president Cori Yonge, Baldwin School Superintendent Alan Lee said that although he has had discussions with the mayor and city council members, he has not yet received a formal proposal about the future of the historic K-1 school building on Church St.
Yonge: " Where are we with that? Is that building ever going to go back into use ... as something?'
Lee: "I would rather see any building we have abandoned ... see some use. Its important ... when (we) quit using it ...it deteriorates ... ."
He said the School Board has not yet decided what to do with the property, "nor do they have an official request."
"I have been in discussion with Mayor Kant, council members, and community leaders about that building ... some day that building may have another use."
(Lee said the other two vacant school buildings in town (old alternative and intermediate) probably should be demolished, for "green space.")
PERFORMING ARTS FACILITY?
Last year, the Mayor and most council members informally proposed converting it to a Performing Arts Facility along the lines of what has been done in Ocean Springs, Ms. and Andalusia, Al; some of them traveled there to inspect those projects.
They envision seeking grants to help with funding; and a public/private collaboration, possibly with FEEF.
Outgoing Fairhope District 6 School Board Representative Bob Callahan has not supported that idea however, preferring the property instead be used as some type of traditional downtown school -- per a prior memorandum of understanding with the previous superintendent (Hollinger) and School Board; and, since upgrading would be very expensive, the old building would probably have to be demolished.
City leaders have told the Times it would be difficult to move forward without his support.
BOTH CANDIDATES SUPPORT IT
Both candidates -- Cecil Christenberry and Miranda Schrubbe -- competing for the seat Callahan is vacating have already voiced support for the conversion to an Arts Facility, however.
The Republican primary is June 3rd; and the general election will be Nov. 4th.
NO FORMAL PROPOSALS YET
After being asked by Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation president Cori Yonge, Baldwin School Superintendent Alan Lee said that although he has had discussions with the mayor and city council members, he has not yet received a formal proposal about the future of the historic K-1 school building on Church St.
Yonge: " Where are we with that? Is that building ever going to go back into use ... as something?'
Lee: "I would rather see any building we have abandoned ... see some use. Its important ... when (we) quit using it ...it deteriorates ... ."
He said the School Board has not yet decided what to do with the property, "nor do they have an official request."
"I have been in discussion with Mayor Kant, council members, and community leaders about that building ... some day that building may have another use."
(Lee said the other two vacant school buildings in town (old alternative and intermediate) probably should be demolished, for "green space.")
PERFORMING ARTS FACILITY?
They envision seeking grants to help with funding; and a public/private collaboration, possibly with FEEF.
Outgoing Fairhope District 6 School Board Representative Bob Callahan has not supported that idea however, preferring the property instead be used as some type of traditional downtown school -- per a prior memorandum of understanding with the previous superintendent (Hollinger) and School Board; and, since upgrading would be very expensive, the old building would probably have to be demolished.
City leaders have told the Times it would be difficult to move forward without his support.
BOTH CANDIDATES SUPPORT IT
Both candidates -- Cecil Christenberry and Miranda Schrubbe -- competing for the seat Callahan is vacating have already voiced support for the conversion to an Arts Facility, however.
The Republican primary is June 3rd; and the general election will be Nov. 4th.
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