Stefanie Joyner
Between 60 and 70 people packed the historic Canton Theatre for a program sponsored by the Cherokee County Historical Society.
Representatives from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the architect who renovated the historic Canton High School were there to talk about options other than demolition for the old Canton Grammar School and the old Canton Mill offices.
The meeting was designed to "show support" and "open up a dialogue between the community and Board of Education," said Stefanie Joyner, executive director of the historical society.
"We're trying to be diligent so we don't lose any more buildings," she said.
Ms. Joyner said members of the school board and Cherokee County School District staff were invited to attend the meeting, but none showed up.
Mike McGowan, the school district's director of public information, communications and partnerships, said in a written statement that it would be, "be inappropriate for school board members or staff to publicly discuss current or possible future real estate matters," which he said are topics for executive session under Georgia law.
The trust's representatives outlined options the community and the historical society could follow to help preserve the buildings.
Mark McDonald, president and CEO for the trust, said there are federal and state tax credits that are given to organizations that preserve buildings.
McDonald said organizations could get as much as 25 percent in tax credits of the cost of renovating a historic building. At the federal level, organizations could get as much as 20 percent in tax credits.
"There's some substantial economic incentives for historic preservation," he said.
McDonald also said federal stimulus dollars are available to use for renovations.
Ms. Joyner said since the historical society does not pay taxes, it would not benefit from the tax credit route. A developer would have to renovate the buildings for a use other than office space in order to receive the tax credits, she added.
When asked if the historical society would be interested in purchasing the buildings, Ms. Joyner said they are "open to anything, but we don't have a lot of money lying around."
"There are all kinds of options... but the main concern is to find out what the school board will do with it," she said of the buildings.
Ms. Joyner also said the society is eyeing the possibility of applying for grants, but in light of the economic downturn, it has become more "competitive."
The school district, which owns the school (also known as Building B) and in recent years used it for offices, closed the building in March, citing lack of compliance with federal disability laws. The building does not include an elevator.
The staff who worked in the building have been moved to other district office space. The district already has razed the school's adjacent gymnasium, and the cleared space is used for parking.
The district also is weighing its options for the future of the former mill offices, known as Building A, which house the superintendent's office and other staff.
While district officials say there are no plans to demolish the buildings, county superintendent of schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo has made a strong argument against renovating it due to high costs.
The school board earlier this year instructed district staff to seek other options "relative to future administrative space, recognizing the Office of Civil Rights has been assured that the School District has taken Building B off-line and in light of our current, extraordinary budget constraints," McGowan said.
Amid community pressure, the school district a decade ago abandoned its plans to demolish the historic Canton High School (known as Building C) and construct a new office building and opted to renovate the facility instead. The county school board uses the facility's auditorium for its meeting space.
Most importantly, officials with Georgia Trust urged the community to talk about the possible demolition with neighbors and others in the community.
"There's no limit to what people can do if they get together... and ask elected officials to act responsibly," McDonald added. "Demolition is not an option you should accept."
The Georgia Trust may place Building B on its annual list of Places in Peril. The 2010 list will be announced on Nov. 4.
The list will feature 10 places across Georgia that are threatened by "demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy," according to the trust.
McDonald said Cherokee County residents have made their wishes loud and clear about placing the building on the list.
"We hear you," McDonald said of residents' concerns about the building. "We'll definitely take it into consideration."
He also informed residents to be suspicious of estimates configured to demolish a building.
Often times, he said, public officials don't include the cost of demolition, which he said could be higher than renovation.
"Watch the figures because they won't tell you the truth all the time," he said.
Jack Pyburn, an Atlanta architect who assisted in the Building C, Rock Barn and the Historic Courthouse renovations, said he believes Building B is in good condition. He added that he's assisted in renovating buildings that were in worse conditions.
Pyburn said he visited Building B while he worked on the Building C renovations. While that was "some time ago," he said he remembered the interior being "better than average."
The historical society's and the trust's requests to tour Building B have been denied by the school district.
Canton residents and business owners also expressed their opinions about the fate of the buildings.
Ernest Hillard, co-founder of the Canton Ghost Tour, said his business relies on the presence of historic buildings in downtown Canton.
"We need to keep these buildings," he said. "I want to preserve the historic aspect of Canton."
Nell Magruder of Canton, who lives in downtown's oldest home and is "in love with the past," also said she hopes the school board takes the preservation route.
Mrs. Magruder, a former board member for Georgia Trust, said she believes historic preservation often turns out to be the most economical decision.
Lowell Lawson of Hickory Flat, who calls himself a "preservationist," said he's lived in cities that have torn down historic buildings and seen the "tragedy" that follows: concrete buildings with no character.
"This is such a beautiful, classic building," he said of Building B. "It really needs to be preserved."
Lawson also took issue with district's claims preservation would waste taxpayer dollars.
"Who do you think we are sitting here tonight?" he asked. "This room was filled with taxpayers."
Cherokee County Commissioner Harry Johnston of Canton attended the meeting, as did Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood and some Canton City Council members.
Johnston said he hopes the school board considers all options before making a final decision.
The commissioner, who attended classes in the historic Canton High School, said the city's historic buildings give the city its look and feel.
He added the city, as well as Woodstock, has been successful at preserving its unique character by keeping its historic facilities intact.
"You can't do it by bulldozing your historic buildings," Johnston said.
even considered though it is older and contains more history than these two combined.