Going from lead paint,
asbestos and termites to new floors, windows and a new roof, the forlorn old schoolhouse of High Springs has gotten quite the makeover. But before its new look can be unveiled and its doors opened for use by the public, it still needs about $450,000 worth of work.
Class at the historic schoolhouse, which served as the town’s elementary school, let out for the last time in 1986.
In 2005, the state of Florida awarded more than $300,000 in grants and other funding to the City of High Springs to restore the building.
Since then, under the direction of project manager Penny Banks, the school has been gutted and refitted. Cracks in the foundation and framework were repaired, and today the exterior is essentially finished.
The inside is another story.
Banks said the bathrooms and all the plumbing need to be installed, and the entire building needs new electric wiring. Right now the city has about $200,000 available to put toward further renovations.
According to the City’s 2007 budget, the remainder of the project will cost $650,000. Banks explained this number could potentially be lower now, given a difference in contractor and construction rates over the past two years. But essentially this means the City needs an additional $450,000, give or take, to get the job done.
During an April 22 City Commission meeting, City Manager James Drumm said it could be as long as five years before there’s enough money to continue and finish the school house.
Banks explained that even if the state issued another grant today for the full amount, it could be three years before the City actually had that money in hand. Adding on the time it could take to finalize budgets and plans, and then actually begin, he agreed it could easily be five years before it gets finished.
Talking about the renovations that have already been done, Banks said, “It took a year to get ready to do the work and nine months to do the work.”
As for what will become of the building once it’s completed, he said he has no idea at this point.
“I’ve talked to 100 different people and heard more than 50 different ideas.”
He thinks the space would make for great offices for city administration, but he really has no say in what will happen, he said.