School Board Postpones Demolition of Historic Buildings

Photo: Building B, the former Canton Grammar School. Credit: Alison Payne/Facebook

The Cherokee County School Board wants to review all options on the table before it proceeds with plans to build a new administrative office building in downtown Canton.

The board at its meeting on Thursday unanimously voted to table plans to demolish Building A, the former Canton cotton mill offices, and Building B, the former Canton Grammar School, until the board’s March 19 meeting.

Board members also directed Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo and district staff to schedule a design impact meeting with the project’s architect and one representative each from the Canton City Council, the Canton Downtown Development Authority and the Cherokee County Historical Society.

Any suggested ideas could be incorporated into future design plans as long as they do not increase the project’s cost or draw out the project’s time frame, said Board Member Patsy Jordan, who proposed the motion to table.

Another motion, introduced by District 1 board member Kyla Cromer, also directed district staff to ”do due diligence” and enter into negotiations with the city of Canton for a possible land swap proposed by the city.

District staff will report back with those results at the March 19 meeting during an executive session that will be held before the regular meeting.

Additionally, board members authorized Petruzielo to advertise and accept sealed bids for the purchase of Buildings A and B and the property they sit on. Building A sits at the corner of West Main and Academy Streets while Building B sits at the corner of Academy and Archer streets.

District spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said the historical society’s offer to purchase the buildings for $300,000 will not be considered, but the organization is encouraged to submit a sealed bid along with other interested parties.

A packed crowd gathered into the historic Canton High School/School Board Auditorium Feb. 5 in anticipation of the board making its decision. The audience was also treated to several residents and business owners who offered varying opinions on whether the board should demolish the buildings, find ways to construct a new facility while leaving both structures in place or pack up and leave downtown Canton altogether.

Merchants Cleveland Chambers of Chamberhouse, Bill Kell of Downtown Kitchen and Stan Rogers all encouraged the board to come up with fiscally responsible ways to stay in the central business district.

Another vested party — the city of Canton — has finally weighed in on a collective manner.

In a letter written and signed by Mayor Gene Hobgood and the six City Council members, the city has proposed “an option which we believe may serve the best interests of both the BOE and the city while preserving historical properties.”

Canton, which owns “acreage” along Bluffs Parkway just north of the Cherokee County Administration Building, is proposing to swap that land in exchange for the downtown property Buildings A and B are situated on.

“The Bluffs is a great location where there is already precedence for government buildings in the area,” the city writes. “The BOE could choose the site and the amount of needed acreage for the construction of the new building. While the city owns the property, we have no current plans for its utilization. The property was principally purchased for a future fire station site and possible future recreational purposes.”

The city did not give any details as to how much acreage it owns on the Bluffs site. 

Cherokee Historical Society Executive Director Stefanie Joyner reiterated the organization’s position that it would be a “loss to this community” if the buildings are demolished. She noted the society is “sure” it can raise the funds to rehabilitate Building A, and it’s confident it can locate a partner to accomplish the same goal for Building B.

Canton resident Kelly Poole stated she supports the school district’s plan, which she said puts children first. While she noted she is believes honoring the past is important, that feat should not be accomplished in a “cost prohibitive” manner. The school district would not allow its students to be housed in facilities riddled with mold, lead paint and asbestos, so it would not make any sense for central office staff to be subjected to the same kinds of conditions, she added.

Poole noted she’d rather see the district steer resources “to better educate our children” than working to preserve buildings at a cost that would exceed the amount needed to build a new facility.

Jeff Dobson, who resides in Tennessee, but still owns property in the Clayton community, added he believes the school board has a “moral and legal” responsibility to maintain and preserve the historic buildings it owns.

Doug Flint of Flint, Connolly & Walker LLP, said he believed the school board has the ability to build its new, 75,000-square-foot facility with a 187-space parking lot while leaving both Buildings A and B in their respective places.

Another resident, Karen Smithwick, said that while she could sympathize with the plight of downtown business owners’ desire to see the school board remain, she felt the area does not need more office space and hoped to see both buildings utilized in another way.

Dr. Austin Flint, father of Doug who practiced medicine in the city for years, added he did not want to see the two buildings demolished, which he said represent the character and “very soul of this town.” However, he said he hopes the school board can remain in downtown Canton, and believes that and the mission of saving the buildings could be achieved.

Fellow resident Larry Pujol noted he believed the school system should tackle overcrowding at Cherokee High School before it embarks on its plan to replace its downtown administrative offices. How could the district choose to build a multi-million dollar facility ”over improving conditions for students less than a mile away from here?” he asked.

Creekview High School teacher Meagan Biello referenced the inspiration given at the start of the meeting by Parth Patel, the student advisor representing Woodstock High School. Patel publicly commended the great teachers who made his primary and secondary academic career a success and a memorable experience.

Biello noted Patel did not mention any buildings in his inspiration.

“Removing the buildings does not remove the memories,” she said, adding she grew up in Woodstock and none of her memories of her childhood in the Cherokee County School District “revolve around a building.”

School Board Chair Janet Read took the time to address some of the comments and concerns directed towards the school district, board members and district staff members. While they are elected officials, that does not mean they should be subjected to disrespectful and demeaning comments by a select number of residents. School board members are also parents, citizens and taxpayers who care just as much about the community as the Average Joe.

“I do what’s best for kids,” she added. ”I will look at every situation and all the information before I make a decision. And that was one of the reasons why this item was tabled tonight.”

What Should You Read Next?

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