School Board To Consider Offer To Purchase Buildings A and B

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The Cherokee County School Board next seek will consider an offer from the Cherokee County Historical Society to save Buildings A and B, which are slated for demolition.

The board will hold an executive session to discuss real estate at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. The session will be held prior to the board’s regular meeting, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. The meeting as well as the closed session will be held at the historic Canton High School/School Board Auditorium.

The society on Thursday sent a letter to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo with an offer to purchase Building A, the former Canton Textile Mill office, and Building B, the former Canton Grammar School for $300,000.

The number from the historical society is based upon the land value minus the demolition cost of Building B, which it says would equate to the fair market value, according to its letter.

In turn, Petruzielo requested the organization send over “satisfactory evidence that the Cherokee County Historical Society currently has the ability to pay at least $300,000, plus all required closing costs including 20 percent earnest money to be paid upon execution of an acceptable contract that transfers the subject property “as is”, as well as a letter agreeing to an immediate closing, to be scheduled by the school board attorney.”

On Friday, the society provided a letter from the society indicating its ability to purchase the buildings for $300,000 and the closing costs.

“We understand that the property will be sold ’as is’ and 20 percent earnest money will be due signing of an acceptable contract,” Historical Society Executive Director Stefanie Joyner writes in the letter. “While we are prepared to close as quickly as feasible, we would need the time to complete the financing.”

Joyner provides a letter from Cindy Brooks, vice president and branch manager of Bank of North Georgia, who confirms the Historical Society’s $300,000 loan from the bank has been “pre-approved.”

Other funds needed for closing ”are available and accessible for immediate use in your current accounts with our bank,” Brooks writes.

The superintendent has recommended the board demolish both buildings and build a new facility on the site. The school district’s project would replace the administration buildings with a single, three-story building on the same footprint. The construction of a new facility would accommodate all district staff, cost $9.9 million and could be completed by the fall of 2016.

Building B 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 said. The basement level of the two-floor Building A was closed shortly after due to similar concerns. As a result of these closures, several departments and more than 100 district employees were relocated to schools and other facilities.

School district staff said both buildings have already been evaluated by independent architects, who say renovating the structures ”would be significantly more expensive than construction of a new facility on the same footprint. Renovation costs have been projected to exceed $14 million, the school district said.

Petruzielo on Wednesday released an conceptual design of the proposal replacement facilities, which show the main entrance facing the corner of West Main and Academy streets.

The design, Petruzielo noted, would also “incorporate architectural details and design cues from the Building A facade, with a focus on creating a building that both nods to downtown’s past and looks to its future, much like the historic architecture-inspired buildings constructed in recent years in downtown Canton.”

The design, Joyner added, “would fit in very well on Riverstone Parkway or Keeter Road.” Keeter Road, which sits off Prominence Point Parkway, is where the Cherokee County School District’s Educational Services Annex is located.

“I think it is out of scale and there is not enough historic character to fit in on Main Street as it is currently designed,” Joyner stated.

Residents and stakeholders have been debating on social media about what potential uses would be appropriate for the site, if both buildings are preserved and the school district moves out of downtown Canton.

Some ideas shared for Building B, Joyner said, include office space, attached housing and a bed and breakfast.

Despite what the district has said, Joyner said the Historical Society did begin a search for buyers as early as 2009, ”but since we could not gain access to the building to determine its condition — which investors asked us —, we got very little serious interest.”

“It was difficult to try and sell a building that we could not describe, nor know which amenities would be included, such as parking,“ she added. “We had directed them all to contact CCSD staff for more information.”

The district earlier this week said it has not received any offers or ”indications of interest” to purchase from any realtor, developer or investor of any kind since discussion about the buildings’ fate started in 2009.

District spokesperson Barbara Jacoby noted CCSD has been contacted about renting and leasing Building B, but due to the “associated risk” to the school district due to health, safety and structural concerns, the district is ”not open” to rental/lease options.

She also addressed allegations made by residents that the system have not maintained the facilities since its closures.

“Building B was closed due to an Office of Civil Rights complaint that precludes its reuse until all concerns are addressed,” Jacoby added. “Additionally, the building posed significant health and safety concerns to staff. The basement of Building A was closed due to similar concerns. Since the closure in 2009, maintenance has continued to prevent the collapse of Building B, and utility service remains operable; and to stave off the complete separation of the facade from the roof of Building A. Additionally, the ground floor of Building A has undergone additional maintenance to ensure continued functioning of plumbing, HVAC, etc.”

One entity that would have a stake in whether the school district demolishes two pieces of historic buildings — the city of Canton — has collectively been silent on the matter. However, Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood did speak with Patch about his feelings on the district’s plans.

Hobgood, who attended classes in every grade except third at the former school, said he has an “emotional attachment” to Building B. The Canton City Council several years ago did pass a resolution encouraging the school board to keep its headquarters in the central business district and offered to help streamlined the process.

He also said he didn’t think Building B’s structural problems are “nowhere near as bad” as Canton Theatre’s condition when the city purchased and renovated that facility.

Hobgood said the theatre’s ceiling had fallen through and pigeons were routinely spotted inside the facility. Rain would also seep into the structure. The mayor said he’d like to see both buildings preserved. However, he also said he understands the economic impact of the school district being able to return roughly 100 additional employees to the county seat; employees who would spend money at downtown restaurants and shops.

The mayor did caution that once the buildings are demolished, they will be gone and “never coming back.”

When asked what, if anything, the city could do to help save the building’s fates, the mayor said it’s possible the city, Downtown Development Authority and the Society could collaborate to ”work out something to save those buildings.”

He went on to say he believes the school board will have to weigh the short-term impact of returning roughly 100 employees to downtown with the long-term effect of demolishing two pieces of Canton’s history.

“I hope they consider what people in the community have to say about it,” he added.

What Should You Read Next?

• School District Releases Rendering of New Administrative Building
• Historical Society: BOE Has “Obligation” To Safeguard Historic Assets
• Petition Created To Save Historic Canton Buildings
• Petruzielo: Not in Taxpayer’s “Best Interest” To Renovate Buildings
• Group Wants School Board To Integrate Historic Buildings Into Office Plans
• Petruzielo: Replace Former Canton Mill Office, Grammar School Buildings

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