Fate of Historic Buildings Rests in School Board's Hands

The future of two historic buildings in downtown Canton could be decided Thursday evening.

The Cherokee County School Board is set to consider whether it will move forward with a plan to demolish Buildings A and B or consider options that would sell the property to a buyer.

The board will take action at its meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. March 19. However, it will meet in executive session to discuss a real estate matter at 5:30 p.m. Both will take place at the historic Canton High School/School Board Auditorium.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo has recommended the demolition of both buildings in order to build a new, 75,000-square-foot administrative complex.

Building B, the former Canton Grammar School, was renovated more than 30 years ago for office use with no preservation of historic details and was closed six years ago due to structural, safety and health concerns, the school district has previously said. The basement level of the two-floor Building A, the former Canton cotton mill offices, was closed shortly after due to similar concerns.

The school board last month voted to delay demolition in order to consider other options, including sale of the downtown property. At least one entity — the Cherokee County Historical Society — has publicly expressed its desire to bid on the properties to purchase.

In an effort to save both buildings, the Canton City Council on Tuesday formally put forth a proposal in which it would swap 19.78 acres of land located along Bluffs Parkway in exchange for the property that’s home to Buildings A and B.

The school board’s full agenda can be viewed on its website.

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Photo credit: Alison Payne