City: Renovating Old School Not 'Fiscally Responsible'

A larger-than-normal crowd filled the council chambers at city hall on Tuesday, Aug. 27, hoping to sway the minds of city council and mayor on the future of the Old School.

At-Large-Councilman Gary Sorace requested a motion to postpone a decision by the Architectural Review Board at the Sept. 5 meeting, but it was voted down 5-2, with Ward 2 Councilman Bob McDermott the second supporting vote.

"I do not think long term the city should invest six or eight million in that building when it can invest in downtown," At-Large-Councilman Bill Furey said.

Most city officials don't believe the cost of renovating and maintaining Twinsburg's Old School would be a wise financial decision.

The Old School was built in 1920 and was Twinsburg's only school until the late 1950s. It was closed as a school in 1992.

More recently, it was used by Kent State University, but the university moved out of the building last year when the new campus opened. 

Mayor Katherine Procop sent an open letter to the city about the Old School earlier this week, saying that previous feasibility studies revealed it would take $4 million to $8 million to renovate the building. She continued:

In making any future decisions for this property, the City must consider its fiscal responsibility to its residents and how the residents may be impacted if monetary resources are diverted to this building's rehabilitation. 

It is very difficult to justify the fiscal liability and ongoing operational expenses against the potential loss of services and/or delay in capital projects that may be required to offset the monetary investment that will be needed to preserve this building.
On Tuesday she said she's gotten letters from residents who support the city's stance on the old school's future, reading portions of responses.

"There ere are a lot of people that understand there is a great opportunity out there awaiting us," Procop said. She has not received a single letter in support of saving the old school, she told Patch on Wednesday.

"I don't see that being a fiscally responsible decision to put money in that building," Ward 3 Councilman Ted Yates said.

In a memo dated Aug. 26, Planning Director Larry Finch outlined the plans for downtown redevelopment and how the Old School does not fit into those plans.

"Redevelopment of the central area (including the Old School property) has been a recurring discussion in our Comprehensive Plans for nearly two decades," Finch wrote.

"The City’s Comprehensive Plan Committee has been examining development options which could transform the tired, un-organized central area into something all Twinsburg residents can be proud of. Given this, and considering the City has no pressing need for additional space, and no viable alternative has been identified for the building, it is time to look to the property and how the property (without the building) can contribute to Twinsburg’s future."

Yates said he understands residents' concerns but feels moving forward with redevelopment would best benefit the city.

"I'm very passionate about this town and passionate about what this town can be," he said. "I think our town has great potential. The old school is a parcel that can lead to good downtown."