|
|
|
Architect Chosen to Begin Renovating Old High Springs Elementary School
By Christa Jenkins
High Springs – after more than 20 years of standing empty, the old High Springs Elementary School will finally get a much-needed facelift.
High Springs commissioners unanimously approved Kenneth Smith Architects, Inc. Thursday, January 12, for the historical restoration of the school.
Kenneth R Smith, president of the firm, said he is excited about the project and its significance to the community.
Although he was the only one to put in a bid for the project, commissioners said they feel that Smith is the right person for the job.
A past project of Smith’s that mirrors what he will do for the High Springs School was the renovation of the historic Peck High School of Fernandina Beach in 1998. After restoring the school and turning it into a community center, he won a Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Award for Outstanding Achievement on the project.
High Springs Codes Enforcement Officer and Special Project Coordinator for the restoration, Penny Banks, said he has been looking forward to seeing the firm’s work first-hand ever since first seeing Smith’s renditions of the project from 1993.
“There’s a lot of potential for rooms of that size,” Banks said. “You could look at the drawings and just let your mind wander.”
Looking at the school now is like a trip back in time, Bank said. With high ceilings, translucent windows and chalkboards complete with penmanship lines, the building stands as a nostalgic reminder to those who once lined its classrooms or played in its gymnasium.
But age has taken its toll.
The classrooms are now lined with the city’s Christmas decorations and the old city commission room seats. The gymnasium floor has rotted through completely, and would be a hazard to play in.
Chalkboards in several of the room still serve as a reminder of the buildings use before being abandoned.
In the upper right–hand corner of one, a date from more than 20 years ago is written in perfect penmanship. May 31, 1983.
The announcement of “no popsicle” is written slightly below, with the names of those who were undoubtedly on bad behavior that day: Tracy, Eric and Mike.
Banks said he hopes to find a way to preserve the portions of chalkboard that still serve as remnants of the past.
“I’d like to find out who didn’t get a popsicle and find out if they’re still in town,” he said.
Banks said the project will transform the school back to what it was before, starting with the exterior of the building.
Renovations to the outside will include new windows, paint, a new porch and other structural work. Then the inside of the structure will transform, as long as funds remain.
Banks said the city first pursued renovating the school 15 years ago, shortly after buying the property from the Alachua County School Board in 1991 for only $50,000.
At that time, the city also applied for $300,000 matching grant to pay for the project.
Banks said that the grant plus the money that the city matched would have been enough to pay for the project at that time.
But the grant was not awarded until 2004, and now the cost to pay for the project is much greater.
But the city still has options open. There are always more grants.
Banks said renovation should start soon, and hopefully passersby should start to see exterior changes within six months.
Although the decision as to what the building will be used for after renovation still remains unanswered, Banks said there are many possibilities. It could be used as public offices, a community center, or any number of alternatives.
“It will bring back a sense of community,” he said, “especially for the people who went to school there.”
The High Springs Herald
Thursday, January 19, 2006
By Christa Jenkins
High Springs – after more than 20 years of standing empty, the old High Springs Elementary School will finally get a much-needed facelift.
High Springs commissioners unanimously approved Kenneth Smith Architects, Inc. Thursday, January 12, for the historical restoration of the school.
Kenneth R Smith, president of the firm, said he is excited about the project and its significance to the community.
Although he was the only one to put in a bid for the project, commissioners said they feel that Smith is the right person for the job.
A past project of Smith’s that mirrors what he will do for the High Springs School was the renovation of the historic Peck High School of Fernandina Beach in 1998. After restoring the school and turning it into a community center, he won a Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Award for Outstanding Achievement on the project.
High Springs Codes Enforcement Officer and Special Project Coordinator for the restoration, Penny Banks, said he has been looking forward to seeing the firm’s work first-hand ever since first seeing Smith’s renditions of the project from 1993.
“There’s a lot of potential for rooms of that size,” Banks said. “You could look at the drawings and just let your mind wander.”
Looking at the school now is like a trip back in time, Bank said. With high ceilings, translucent windows and chalkboards complete with penmanship lines, the building stands as a nostalgic reminder to those who once lined its classrooms or played in its gymnasium.
But age has taken its toll.
The classrooms are now lined with the city’s Christmas decorations and the old city commission room seats. The gymnasium floor has rotted through completely, and would be a hazard to play in.
Chalkboards in several of the room still serve as a reminder of the buildings use before being abandoned.
In the upper right–hand corner of one, a date from more than 20 years ago is written in perfect penmanship. May 31, 1983.
The announcement of “no popsicle” is written slightly below, with the names of those who were undoubtedly on bad behavior that day: Tracy, Eric and Mike.
Banks said he hopes to find a way to preserve the portions of chalkboard that still serve as remnants of the past.
“I’d like to find out who didn’t get a popsicle and find out if they’re still in town,” he said.
Banks said the project will transform the school back to what it was before, starting with the exterior of the building.
Renovations to the outside will include new windows, paint, a new porch and other structural work. Then the inside of the structure will transform, as long as funds remain.
Banks said the city first pursued renovating the school 15 years ago, shortly after buying the property from the Alachua County School Board in 1991 for only $50,000.
At that time, the city also applied for $300,000 matching grant to pay for the project.
Banks said that the grant plus the money that the city matched would have been enough to pay for the project at that time.
But the grant was not awarded until 2004, and now the cost to pay for the project is much greater.
But the city still has options open. There are always more grants.
Banks said renovation should start soon, and hopefully passersby should start to see exterior changes within six months.
Although the decision as to what the building will be used for after renovation still remains unanswered, Banks said there are many possibilities. It could be used as public offices, a community center, or any number of alternatives.
“It will bring back a sense of community,” he said, “especially for the people who went to school there.”
The High Springs Herald
Thursday, January 19, 2006
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. http://www.floridaconsumerhelp.com/ Toll-free number 1-800-435-7352