Posted January 30, 200817 yr The Warren City Schools are getting new schools with help from the OSFC. Local funding was also passed to save (in some form) the facade of the old Warren Harding HS. See these articles from the Tribune-Chronicle for further information and more history of this project. http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/500407.html?nav=5021 http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/500691.html?nav=5021 http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/500764.html?nav=5021 I'll post renderings of what the board wants to do in my next post.
January 30, 200817 yr That is such a beautiful building. In recent years though, they had torn up the inside, making some rooms no bigger than a large closet. There is, however, a lot of ornate fountains and mosaics, detailed banisters, and beautiful woodwork. I remember taking my ACT tests there in High School. The heating system was hard core too, always hot in that building.
January 30, 200817 yr The board of education has $1 million to work with. They could save the facade and auditorium behind it with that. (but they don't have the money for operating expenses) These are the renderings of what they consider historic preservation... I'd like to add that the first rendering is approximately where the existing front of the building is. The other 2 renderings are of the fence they will build in front of the stadium.
January 30, 200817 yr I'm at work, so I have/had to keep my posts short. Sorry for the confusion. It's been said that the bond issue to build new schools passed because people were told the facade of the old HS would be saved. At that time, there were even people in power who wanted it saved. However, now there are new board members, and even a new superintendent, who don't want to keep the facade.
January 30, 200817 yr Not this?!?!? :-( http://www.warrenschools.k12.oh.us/PDF%20Files/WGH_Historical_Respect.pdf
January 30, 200817 yr That's really very disappointing. It is such a beautiful building. People in the community should push for them to save it. Driving past on Elm Rd, the building is so powerful, they just don't make buildings like that anymore.
January 30, 200817 yr That is horrible. They can take their Corinthian column and shove it right up . . .
January 31, 200817 yr Well, they are rethinking the design, again. Unfortunately, their cheapest option is just to save the facade and auditorium--like the rendering Inkaelin posted above. But, the B of E doesn't want to do that. I've been told that the B of E doesn't want to save the old building because the back side will face their "beautiful" new (monster) high school.
January 31, 200817 yr "cafetorium"? Not hard to figure out what it means, but that is a silly word in an otherwise really sad situation.
February 5, 200817 yr http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/501030.html?nav=5021 We're currently working on the renderings for the presentation mentioned in the above article for Fanning Howey. I'll post them here, as soon as I can.
February 8, 200817 yr There was a public meeting last night. http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/501169.html?nav=5021 Here are the renderings we presented. But, thankfully, the public seems set on saving the facade and auditorium.
February 8, 200817 yr I'm embarrased to say that I like it. Saving the auditorium is still my preference (having driven by the school one time and spent a combined 2 hours in the City of Warren in my lifetime).
February 8, 200817 yr While that is cool. Saving the auditorium would be best. It is a VERY nice auditorium, and while it does need some updating, it's historical!
February 8, 200817 yr No offense, Ink --- but I'm with the pope on this one -- what an absurd and patronizing proposal. Have you seen the renderings of the new building? Typical OSFC stuff -- bland combinations of aircraft hanger and prison architecture. There's an easy out here for the District -- sell the auditorium/facade to a non-profit designed to own and operate the facility.
February 8, 200817 yr its especially vomit, with the last rendering and to see such a beautiful structure replaced with a parking lot.
February 8, 200817 yr I think we have a winning proposal here. Now parents can tell their children "look at the beautiful school we used to have". And then they can point to the new school and say "now look at the horrible piece of crud that's your school".
February 8, 200817 yr There's an easy out here for the District -- sell the auditorium/facade to a nonprofit designed to own and operate the facility. I thought of this too. But when I asked about it, I was told that it's unlikely the district would like to give up a piece of their campus. I'm very frustrated with this whole project. (although recent events are somewhat encouraging) If the district decides not to save the auditorium, it will be because they've convinced the community that it will just cost too much money. The newspapers keep printing that it is expected to cost the district as much as $6 million to make the auditorium marketable to the public, and it will cost them about $70k/year to maintain the building. From what I've heard, I think this is BS. They already have $1 million, and that's enough to cap the ends of the building, (per the illustration inkaelin posted) install new boilers, and put on a new roof! After that, I don't know why they don't just keep the building at 50 degrees, and lock the doors. They don't need to assign a full-time janitor to clean the building! In my opinion, they are trying to mislead the public about the real costs.
February 9, 200817 yr No offense, Ink --- but I'm with the pope on this one -- what an absurd and patronizing proposal. The project architects are not exactly noted for their preservation ethic....and have you seen the renderings of the new building? Typical OSFC stuff -- bland combinations of aircraft hanger and prison architecture. There's an easy out here for the District -- sell the auditorium/facade to a non-profit designed to own and operate the facility. Oh, I agree. I like the rendering, but not the idea.
February 10, 200817 yr omg. warren please. save that building. learn from one of lorain's many mistakes. :whip:
February 10, 200817 yr omg. warren please. save that building. learn from one of lorain's many mistakes. :whip: http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g48/meesalikeu/P1050742.jpg What, you mean that's not respectful to the structure that used to be there? :roll: :roll: :roll:
February 19, 200817 yr Many why the hell can't they save the whole school. I've been working 2 years at a firm that specializes in this stuff. We've dealt with poor cash strapped communities who have managed to pull off amazing renovations of historic structures.
February 19, 200817 yr Well, in this case, the replacement school is already under construction and scheduled to open this fall. The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) makes the decision whether a school is worth saving or not. I can't remember the exact figures, but the cost of renovation has to be significantly less than the cost of replacement. A community can fight to save an old school, but most communities around here would rather have new buildings. Here's the latest article: http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/501740.html?nav=5021 I had to laugh at the board president's last comment in the article. “We will do $1 million worth of preservation,” Obviously their idea of preservation is different from mine.
February 20, 200817 yr Harding to be demolished Board votes to level school, but committee still will have chance to save facade By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: February 20, 2008 WARREN — The Board of Education has decided — for now — that Warren G. Harding High School will be demolished. ... And while the plan that included the auditorium was originally estimated to cost about $1 million, board member Patricia Limperos said members simply haven’t received enough proof from architects that that really is possible. ‘‘If it’s going to be a million dollars, they need to back it up. And we’re not getting that,’’ Limperos said. What else did they want? Read More...
February 25, 200817 yr Effort to save facade continues Group meets, strengthens organization By AMANDA SMITH-TEUTSCH / Tribune Chronicle POSTED: February 25, 2008 WARREN — The group of residents concerned with the Warren City School Board’s decision to raze Warren G. Harding High School has swelled to nearly 100, and it has organized to the point of selecting a representative, launching a Web site and setting up a way to accept donations to help the cause. “From a corporate standpoint, this is a no-brainer. We have found no information to date that shows the facade of Warren G. Harding High School cannot be saved for $1 million,” said group member Bette Daily. Daily was one of about 80 people who gathered Sunday at a Warren restaurant to further organize the preservation effort. School board member Patti Limperos attended the meeting as well. Read More...
March 6, 200817 yr I need to catch up a little. School board discusses Harding committee By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: February 28, 2008 Fact Box Deadline The Warren City Board of Education hopes to hear a recommendation on a viable alternative to demolishing Warren G. Harding High School by its regular meeting March 18. WARREN — Members of a committee could provide an answer for the Board of Education on what a viable alternative may be to demolishing Warren G. Harding High School. But first, the school board needs to find people who would be willing to sit on the panel. More at: http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/502184.html Facade fate hinges on committee Some citizens question the make-up of board By JENNIFER KOVACS and BILL RODGERS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 3, 2008 WARREN — Supporters of Warren G. Harding High School have latched their hopes of seeing the building preserved to a school board-created committee. And in the City Council room at a Sunday meeting of a group of alumni and citizens opposing the board’s decision to demolish the school, accusations that the board would cherry-pick members prompted committee members in the audience to pledge their willingness to study the issue. More at: http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/502369.html Harding committee holds first meeting By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 4, 2008 WARREN — In the first meeting of a school board committee charged with finding a viable alternative to demolishing Warren G. Harding High School by March 18, members at least came to one agreement: They need more time. More at: http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/502469.html Uses limited for Harding Committee charged with finding an answer By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 5, 2008 WARREN — While a committee has been formed and charged with the task of finding a use for the Warren G. Harding High School building, one school board member said that an idea long thought to be the answer just won’t work. Edward Bolino said at a meeting Monday that even if office space and the auditorium were to be saved, there still would not remain enough square footage to house the district’s administration and board offices as once proposed. More at: http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/502497.html
March 11, 200817 yr Harding committee concerned about delays By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 11, 2008 WARREN — The question of time is one that has yet to be resolved by a committee put in place to find a possible alternative to demolishing Warren G. Harding High School. And with any delay in the overall project coming with an unknown impact on the $1 million budget for the historic preservation, one member of the Harding Historic Respect Committee said he has concerns. ‘‘Are you willing to roll the dice? I’m not a gambler,’’ Jimmy Pugh said. ‘‘The potential of losing money is scary to me.’’ Read More...
March 12, 200817 yr More time sought for Harding decision By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 12, 2008 WARREN — With just one week until a previously set deadline, members of the community asked that a committee charged with finding an alternative to demolishing Warren G. Harding High School be allowed more time. Facing a limited budget and community that has voiced its wish that a significant portion of the building be saved, Anthony Payiavlas, chairman of the Harding Historic Respect Committee, said that the group is ready to take on the fight. ‘‘We understand this is a significant challenge,’’ he told the school board Tuesday night. Read More...
March 16, 200817 yr Deadline to save Harding facade looms By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 15, 2008 WARREN — Time is ticking for everyone involved in trying to save Warren G. Harding High School from the wrecking ball. And one more effort will be made today, as a community group plans to meet with a preservation architect who has worked on similar projects. Read More...
March 18, 200817 yr Committee tries option to save facade By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 18, 2008 WARREN — After more than two hours of discussion, a committee charged with trying to find an alternative to demolishing Warren G. Harding High School will ask the school board tonight to preserve the facade using the allotted initiative money, and private funds will pay for any additional costs. It includes asking that the Board of Education consider an alternate scope for demolition of the building that would leave behind only the portion that was constructed in 1924 — including the front facade and auditorium — but without any later additions. ‘‘This will be our last chance to have enough of the building left to use,’’ said Dave Ambrose, a member of the Harding Historic Respect Committee. Read More...
March 19, 200817 yr It looks like they want something like what I posted on Feb. 8th. Board agrees to try to save facade Members reject proposal by committee By JENNIFER KOVACS Tribune Chronicle POSTED: March 19, 2008 WARREN — Five years after passing a bond issue for new schools with the promise that the facade of Warren G. Harding High School would be preserved, the Board of Education voted Tuesday to direct architects to figure out how to save the facade. The unanimous vote includes just the facade with supports built in and attention paid to addressing any portion left behind that could be viewed as eyesores, Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg said. Last month, the board had voted to demolish the old school. Changing its mind Tuesday to save the facade did not appease supporters of saving most or all of the structure. Read More...
April 30, 200817 yr OK, it's official: I'll post the renderings when I can. Harding plans in stone Old school to be demolished — except for facade By JENNIFER KOVACS / Tribune Chronicle POSTED: April 30, 2008 WARREN — After promising last month to demolish Warren G. Harding High School with the exception of its historic facade, the Board of Education approved final construction documents Tuesday to do just that. ‘‘We’re trying to do our best within the budget we have to continue with the school project and complete what we can with the $1 million for the facade,’’ school board President Robert Faulkner Sr. said. The resolution approved in a special session Tuesday called for abatement of the building, demolition of it in near entirety and site work on the campus. Read More...
April 30, 200817 yr Here are the renderings. They are saving the rooms (and stairs) immediately behind the facade to support it. And, they will be wrapping the newly exposed walls on the sides and back with EIFS.
April 30, 200817 yr Yes, it is weird. No. I thought the facade was going to be used on the new building? Fanning Howey determined, early on, that this option would cost more than the $1 million the district had set aside.
April 30, 200817 yr That's like a monument to all that is wrong with the world/Warren. A memory of better times. Perhaps complete demolition would have been a better choice. (which I hate to say as an avid preservationist)
April 30, 200817 yr Yes, it is weird. No. I thought the facade was going to be used on the new building? Fanning Howey determined, early on, that this option would cost more than the $1 million the district had set aside. It's sad...but with a lot of these remodel/rebuild plans unless people can cough up extra money, the state will not pay more than they have to. My old elementary school, although currently an accesibility nightmare, is about 100 years old and has some wonderful archetecture. Unfortunatley, because there simply isnt enough to do a gut n' redo, the building will be torn down and replaced. Keep in mind, this is the same state that suggested Akron cut its number of high schools down from 8 (with 800-1100 students each) to 4 with at about 2000 students each. Real Smart.
April 30, 200817 yr That's like a monument to all that is wrong with the world/Warren. A memory of better times. Perhaps complete demolition would have been a better choice. (which I hate to say as an avid preservationist) Hate to say it as well, but I agree with you, Ink. I would have preferred, if I were a Harding alum, to see it completely gone. It would be interesting to see the discussion in 30 or so years, when the new building reaches its life expectancy -- and the grave marker will be visible for a building which would have lasted another 100 years.
April 30, 200817 yr It would be interesting to see the discussion in 30 or so years, when the new building reaches its life expectancy -- and the grave marker will be visible for a building which would have lasted another 100 years. Maybe the next building will incorporate the old facade. ;)
May 2, 200817 yr Gotta laugh @ Harding just going down now while Reserve lasted like 20 years. I know it's still in use, but still weird that they put everyone @ Harding when Reserve was newer. Any news on St. Mary's? I spent three years there in the 80s and it still haunts my dreams.
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