Texas Group Goes to Court to Fight Demolition of 1922 School
By Margaret Foster | Online Only | July 15, 2009
There's a legal battle under way in Beaumont, Tex., over the fate of a 1922 school.
Citing the need for a new school, the Beaumont Independent School District voted last November to tear down the South Park School, used as a middle school until last year. In response, more than 2,600 residents in the city of 110,000 signed a petition urging the school district to consider alternate plans for adaptive use. When workers began pre-demolition asbestos abatement last month, the Beaumont Heritage Society filed an injunction to halt demolition. On July 1, a district judge issued a temporary restraining order that prevents the school's destruction until a hearing can be held July 28.
"[The school district] has ignored the will of the people, and they've never done a cost analysis [comparing restoration to demolition]," says attorney Michael Getz, who is representing the Beaumont Heritage Society, founded in 1968. In addition, Getz says, the Beaumont Independent School District did not adequately notify the public of its decision. "It was apparently something that was done behind closed doors." (The school district did advertise its Nov. 6 meeting to "discuss the construction and design of the South Park Middle School.")
In 2007 the school district commissioned an engineering study, which found the building structurally sound. Despite that report, officials opted to pursue demolition.
Officials at the Texas Historical Commission say they are "concerned" that the school district did not conduct a feasibility study of the building's potential reuse.
"The proper expertise, of an architect experienced in working with historic schools, should have been brought to bear," wrote Mark Wolfe, chief deputy executive director of the commission, in a June 23 letter to Superintendent Carrol Thomas.
Wolfe points out that state law requires the school district to notify the Texas Historical Commission of any project that affects more than five acres of public land. In this case the district failed to notify the commission.
The Beaumont Independent School District has halted demolition for now, in accordance with the temporary restraining order. "It's taxpayer's money that's being eaten up by the will of the few rather than the majority," Jessie Haynes, the school district's assistant to the superintendent, told the Beaumont Enterprise this month. (Haynes did not return phone calls from Preservation.)
But Darlene Chodzinski, executive director of the Beaumont Heritage Society, says the South Park School is important to more than just locals because Lamar University was founded in the building. "It's not just a few people," she insists. "They have ignored the protest of not only 3,000 people who have signed the petition, but we tried to talk to them about it … We pretty much were stonewalled. The school district will not even listen to any arguments. They really have not made any efforts at all to preserve the building."
Although the final decision to raze the building rests in the hands of its owner, the school district, the mayor of Beaumont has voiced her opinion: "It is my hope that the School District and those that want to preserve the South Park School can come together and settle on some compromise that is good for Beaumont," Beaumont Mayor Becky Ames, whose mother grew up in the South Park neighborhood and attended South Park School, said in a statement. "If it is economically feasible, I believe every effort should be made to preserve history."
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Comments
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: November 4, 2009
No news yet from Judge Wortham. We going forth with activities Work Day Nov.14 at Speedys Storage 1:00 PM. Christmas Party Dec. 12 at St. Paul's United United Methodist Church at 5:30 PM
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: September 23, 2009
Trial is over now we wait until Judge Wortham makes his decision
Submitted by GREENIE 1969 at: September 20, 2009
We won the appeal. We got to Trial Sept.21
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: September 11, 2009
SPHSHA will meet Sept.19 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Woodrow.There will be discussion of yearbook sales, upcoming trial, Court of Appeals,storage room getting 503(c) from IRS. You can go to southparkgreenies.com for more info.
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: September 11, 2009
Court of Appeals will recieve briefs from Mike Getz(BHS, SP) and BISD on 9/14/09 then we should know the out come whether or not Trial will begin on 9/21/09. Please keep your fingers cross and say prayers that they rule in our favor so that South Park will continue to stand tall at 4500 Highland Ave.
Submitted by Nick at: August 25, 2009
Where you there when SP was intergated? I was and at first it was not good but we got over it.This issue has nothing to do with RACE. The other schools could have been saved but nobody said anything.Why spend $42 Million when you can spend about $10 Million and you have preserved historical ICON
Submitted by Mr D at: August 21, 2009
As i listen to each of you all comment im sicken by what im hearing you say it all about rich history but all i hear is hatred and envy because you dont want let go of your past and hinder the future for the kids who now attend south park middle school because they are black and you want your beloved school back so it can remind many who where black not allowed to go to that school.So now you want bisd to pay for what they took from you as you claim by raising these false claim that you voices where not heard have you consider the voices that wherenot heard when charlton pollard was torn down or when hebert high was close down because they where all black schools where was your beloved hertiage society then and what are they standing for now
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: August 20, 2009
BHS andSouth Park won 2 small victories yesterday
Submitted by Family of Greenies at: August 19, 2009
This school is history of not only the past but the future...BISD needs to preserve this rich history as this was the original Lamar University now a nationally accredited college and also served as a learning stone for almost 8 decades...this school is true history for young and elderly alike!
Submitted by GREENIE 1969 at: August 13, 2009
Meeting(SPHSHA) August 15 at St. Paul's United Methoidist Church on Woodrow at 2:00 PM. Tell all GREENIES. See you there. For more info call 409-781-4760
Submitted by GREENIE 1969 at: August 11, 2009
Well BISD has decided to fight injunction.So we still everybody to get involved with this
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: August 7, 2009
Mediation is to start soon.Monday is school board meeting at 7:00 PM we need everybody there.
Submitted by GREENIE 1969 at: August 5, 2009
We now have trail coming up September 21. Please sign petition if you haven't
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: August 4, 2009
We won injunction on August 3
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: July 29, 2009
Second day at hearing and more testimony given by BISD, GREENIES and citizens o fBeaumont.The way things look it is close.Testimony begins 9:30 onThursday(7/30) for 3RD DAY.
Submitted by Little D at: July 28, 2009
Today(7/28/09) is the day to see if South Park will keep on Standing tall.Courtroom will be filled with GREENIES and citizens that are pulling for South Park
Submitted by Mags Greenie at: July 27, 2009
I find it hard to believe that BISD wants to spend Twenty-Seven Million to replace this school. They have done no studies as to the cost of renovation of a building steeped in Beaumont's history. It is a sad day when "Power" replaces the wants, needs and desires of the people. That is what is happening here. I think tearing down SPHS is more to make a point and send a message about who is "in charge." After all these days money is no object.
Submitted by gigibear at: July 27, 2009
Oh Lord - My parents, my father's 2nd wife, me, my sister's husband, several aunts, uncles and cousins went to SPHS. It is one of the bright spots in my life. My class ('60) even won the hall decorating contest 3 years running at home coming. (ticked off the then seniors, hee, hee, hee). It is a lovely, stately buinding and Beaumont has blottoed so many memories. I am sure they would like to wipe SPHS out of the collective memory. Does everyone remember how WE came to be the other school dictrict in a one horse town? The rivalry is deep and hard. The setting sun may never rise but GREENIE SPIRIT NEVER DIES. jms
Submitted by Runaround Sue at: July 27, 2009
My late mother, and her twin (also deceased) attended South Park, and I followed family tradition, graduating in l963. The school has been a landmark, and one of the few left in that part of Beaumont. I've been in the building recently, and demolition of a perfectly good building seems wasteful. The school board needs to re-think this idiotic plan.
Submitted by Dumplin at: July 25, 2009
Glad to know that we are making the public appear of our problem with BISD
Submitted by Old School at: July 25, 2009
In 1993, the school board of my hometown of Schulenburg tore down its classic 1922 high school. Beaumont doesn't have to make the same mistake.
Submitted by AL at: July 21, 2009
I WENT THROUGH THE SCHOOL JUST A MONTH AGO, THE BUILDING IS VERY SOUND AND NEEDS TO BE SAVED. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING THAT COULD WORK GREAT FOR BISD IF THEY JUST SENT SOME MONEY ON IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE LESS EXPENSIVE TO DISTROY THIS FINE BUILDING AND BUILD A NEW SCHOOL. THEN TO SPEND THE MONEY TO REFURBISH THE PRESENT BUILDING. BISD SURE DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SAVE THIS 1922 BUILDING, IT IS A TRUE ASSET FOR OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE CITY OF BEAUMONT.
Submitted by Anonymous at: July 16, 2009
BISD took over the South Park District in spite of the citizens voting it down. They have been determined to destroy everything related to the South Park District, and they are determined to tear down the last thing left.
Submitted by Miriam at: July 16, 2009
Thank you for letting everyone know about South Park High School in Beaumont,Texas. A great many of us have been working on SAVING SOUTH PARK. It is great to know that other organizations have heard our cry.GREENIE FIGHT NEVER DIES.
Submitted by Lou Bodden Buxton at: July 15, 2009
Thank you so very much for hearing our cry for help! Those of us who have been on the front lines here have stood for the preservation of this beautiful building so the future can walk where history was made. We all know that our history makes us who we are in the future. If, however, that history is not preserved there will be a death of knowledge that cannot be recovered. That's the most important reason we're so determined to save this building that speaks for many generations. A simple "Thank You" seems to be too small for how we feel about your interest in our project. This preservation project goes much farther and deeper than just a building. Since you've joined us, maybe those who have suppressed the details of South Park School will have the light of truth shined on them and ALL will see the true facts of this 2+ year quest. Please accept my deepest gratitude for your help! God Bless you. Lou Bodden Buxton SPHS '65 LouBuxton@att.net
Submitted by D. Pearson at: July 15, 2009
Thank you for sharing the plight of iconic South Park. Those of us who continue to fight for the preservation of this stately landmark appreciate this report. We press forward, certain of the importance of this beautiful and historic Beaumont structure.
Submitted by Debbie at: July 15, 2009
Thank you for publishing this article. This building deserves a 'fighting' chance. It is truly magnificent in its own right! If its walls could talk, what stories they would tell. They would tell stories of great basketball players, great violinist, pianist, other great athletes, and historians. The stories would go on and on for generations! Hopefully, they will continue.
Submitted by Sherry Sharp at: July 15, 2009
Margaret, I want to personally express my humble appreciation to you and your organization for visiting our site, savesouthpark.org, and bringing our plight to a national audience. Hopefully this will motivate even more people to get involved. Somehow, those who seek to destroy our historical building must be made to see the foolish and wasteful ways of their decisions. So, on behalf of all us who are fighting to save the building, thank you!
Submitted by Janet 1965 at: July 15, 2009
This building has withstood many a hurricane and can be remodled cheaper than tearing it down and building a new one. South Park School is a beautiful building. Thank you for bringing this to a much larger audience.
Submitted by Brian at: July 15, 2009
If the building is preserved, it would be nice at some future date to restore the original look of the windows.
Submitted by Greenie 1965 at: July 15, 2009
Thanks so much for putting out clear information about our school. This building adds to the community and is a historical object that needs to be perserved.
Submitted by Anonymous at: July 15, 2009
Thank you so much for the article on South Park High School. Greenies appreciate any and all help. Hopefully the BISD schoolboard will finally be taught a lessson. This could be the beginning of getting rid of all of them. Thomas goes first
Submitted by Greenie 1969 at: July 15, 2009
So glad to see that other people are taking a stand about South Park. As my sisters are too.