www.eagletimes.com
Looking towards reuse of Park Street School
Local environmental activist Kelly Stetttner was left suitably impressed by her recent guided tour through Park Street School.
www.springfieldvt.blogspot.com
Capturing Memories Of Park Street School (2008)
I arranged a visit right after the school year ended, and was told I could roam the hallways and classrooms at my leisure.
www.morningsonmaplestreet.com
2017-02-20 / Opinion
What to do with Park Street School
To the Editor,
I am a senior citizen that has been accused many a time of not being the sharpest knife in the drawer or not having both oars in the water. So be it! The subject of what to do with Park Street School has bothered me for quite some time. I know I am not the only one in Springfield to wonder about this and the inordinate amount of time it has taken folks to decide what to do. In simple terms, it might be called "constipation."
I ask citizens to consider what we have in Park Street School: an auditorium, a gym, a cafeteria, offices, and umpteen rooms, not to mention fine marble in the corridors. All this could be put to good use. Some is already in use, like the central office for the school district, wrestling team, remedial classes, etc. These would have to find another home. Where? Why?
I suggest we broaden the usage of the building. It is now common knowledge that the Springfield Family Center wants to sell and relocate. Why not in Park Street? Ample parking, a place for their food shelf, noon meals, etc. This could also apply to the Senior Meals Program.
The Springfield Players, as well as other groups, could have a beautiful auditorium in which to perform, sports teams would have a gym, the free clinic could expand its space, other nonprofits could have space either free or at a minimal charge.
Also, and I realize they moved a short time ago to North Springfield, The Springfield Art and Historical Society could move back and have plenty of space to "spread their wings." There is the maker's space, art gym, etc. The municipal offices might even find the space more attractive. I could continue but won't.
Depending on what the "powers that be" want done is what you hear for costs. Money through the roof if the building is to be kept and hardly anything if it is to be disposed of. I'm sorry, but I don't buy any of it.
Instead of funding various nonprofits that appear on the ballot, why not offer them either free or reduced rent? A quick glance indicates a possible saving of $70,000 on the town warrant. Scrub brushes, paint brushes, and elbow grease can transfer many spaces to their original luster. Students could perform some of the labor as community service, inmates from the prison could do some of the work. Local service clubs could pick a room, redo it, and have their name on the door. The possibilities are endless.
In closing, I want to address one subject that bugs the "living bejesus" out of me. There are certain people in this town that will say, "you can't do that, the law won't allow," etc. I saw it happen not too long ago. I don't and won't buy that either. If you can dream it, you can do it! So why not a Civic Center in Springfield?
OK, that's my food for thought. Thank you.
David Shuffleburg
Springfield, VT
David S. : Great letter, I agree 100%.
ReplyDeleteMake it the new rec-center/Senior center. More parking!
ReplyDeleteWondering what it would cost to remove all of the interior walls in the older portion, replace support walls with columns and create a huge event/exhibition/dance hall/concert venue for the town and go after convention business. Save the newer part that has the gym and and the auditorium for community events.
DeleteD Shuffleburg.....best ideas so far....you are making way too much sense...the powers that be in this town will never go for it.
ReplyDeletejust close it and sell,gonna cost to much money to bring it up to code
ReplyDeleteLike what;
DeleteOK electrical, re do that.
Lead Paint yup remove that.
Sprinkler system, fix it.
Asbestos, Leave that as long as it is enclosed.
What leave that ?? OK Please tell me the name of anyone who spent time there that became ill because of oh my God Asbestos.
Co ed bathrooms, yup change the signs on the door.
Bricks may not be up to code too, replace em all.
Person with the code book, show em the door.
Pothole in the parking lot with the frog in it, get the state involved.
Yesirree, there is a huge private market for this type of building, why I expect that developers will just be lining up in droves begging for a chance to redevelop it.
Deletebe sides bringing it up to code,it needs a new heating system,new windows,will need to have a sprinkler system put in,would need a bunch of plumbing work
DeleteBecause like everything else downtown- there is no parking!
ReplyDeleteNonsense, there is plenty of parking at Park Street.
DeleteInteresting that the libs that love to vote for all the regulations are the first to whine when those same regulations get in the way of one of their pipe dreams. All this effort should be put into bull dozing the space, designing and building an efficient space for the purposes mentioned earlier. Start saving your nickels and dimes.
ReplyDeleteTrying to remember what libs were pushing arcane fire and safety rules and regulations....nope, cannot think of any.
DeleteThis building would be an amazing community center, music venue and more if this building was move in ready. The sticking point is the amount of money it would take to update and maintain this building. I am pretty sure taxpayers would just love to foot the bill to make this a community center. Private investors who charge steep rent is the only way this building will be saved.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the famous "private investors" have been so kind to Springfield.
DeleteIt cost $34 million to upgrade Elm Hill school (roughly the cost of 6 hours of the Iraq war). I once asked a member of the Springfield Players about having them move to Park Street, and I was told the stage is too "shallow." Presumably that meant no room to have all the room needed behind the scrim. Without addressing its deficits in energy consumption, to continue to use it would be almost suicidal financially for the next owner.
ReplyDeleteSo, it looks like an all-in or all-out choice-- either spend the bucks for a total makeover or demolish it.
Didn't some of the committees recommend that it be done in phases? New part first, old part later?
DeleteSave it because it is also a "Fall Out" shelter.
ReplyDeleteJust imagine being "holed" up with some of Springfields finest.
C'mon people this is Springfield its an abandon property tear it down that's what we do.
ReplyDelete