Uses for Lowther building
George Milton - Emporia
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
In a recent front-page picture and article you asked your readers their thoughts about Lowther Middle School North and possible uses of the facility. I have some thoughts I would like to share with you.
There seem to be several agencies that have expressed an interest in having more space for their operations. Some have contracted with professionals to study their problems and identify possible solutions. I wonder if others have not done the same thing. I also wonder if maybe we have overlooked a gem right in front of us and maybe we are too conditioned to thinking of “new building” before we consider finding new occupants for older structures.
I am suggesting that Lowther Middle School North be considered for multi-use by:
• Lyon County Historical Society
• Emporia Recreation Commission
• The National Teachers Hall of Fame
• The Community Theatre
Each one of these entities is important to our community, whether to our health, our cultural life, or the recognition and value of our history. Each has a vital role to play in our community’s growth as a vibrant, interesting place to live and to visit.
I suggest that, as these organizations review their needs and their current programming, they might take a look at the space that Lowther Middle School North has to offer. I know from personal experience that moving into a newly built facility is a great experience, but I also know from personal experience that having a voice in how a program could use available space is also satisfying, not only to the organization, but also to the fee- and tax-paying public.
I hope others in our community add their thoughts and suggestions because together we can make a difference.
George Milton
Emporia
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
Or office space. Good suggestions!
December 15, 2010 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
A courageous suggestion, but these groups are notoriously short of funds all the time. How will they afford to heat those buildings? A/C? General maintenance?
December 15, 2010 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jasper007 (anonymous) says...
Although there have been some suggestions for the building(s), let's just hope they don't turn into the east side Burger King, the old east side Coastal Mart, the old Big Lot's Store, etc., etc., etc. When are these ABANDONED buildings going to be addressed??
December 15, 2010 at 9:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
1234567 (anonymous) says...
In Oregon, McMenamins has repurposed old schools to house breweries, restaurants and hotels. Here's a link to one of the properties: http://www.mcmenamins.com/427-kennedy.... Pretty cool.
It would be great to see something like that take hold in Emporia, however, I think it might be too progressive for this town.
December 15, 2010 at 11:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mds (anonymous) says...
i did not want this to take in first place
December 16, 2010 at 12:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I just can't wait till someone suggests turning the north building into a museum or city offices and turning the south building into the rec center annex.
December 9, 2010 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
December 16, 2010 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Steve
You probably wont have to wait long!
December 16, 2010 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
six days
December 16, 2010 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
1234567,
Great post and the link is fantastic. Wow! What an idea. I'd love to see that work here.
December 16, 2010 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
There is one thing that every one must remember . What ever is done or who ever wants to do something with the Lowther buildings/building, it must meet with the approval of the " Powers That Be " or it will never happen !
December 16, 2010 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
LSIS is going to be used by the district for Turning Point. Just watch. It will be fun to see them justify "closing" it for fifth grade but keeping it open for WAY fewer kids.
December 16, 2010 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chasecountycrawfords (anonymous) says...
You hit the nail on the head rcakmon!
December 16, 2010 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
chasecountycrawfords.....
.....ditto.....
December 16, 2010 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chasecountycrawfords (anonymous) says...
Don't get me wrong, I am not slamming TPLC....! It's a good program! :)
December 16, 2010 at 1:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Has everyone forgot what one of the arguements that the BOE and their Study Committee gave for " Mothballing both Lowther Buildings " ?
It was because of deteriorating condition, mold , moving toward the future, etc., etc., then when they said that they would try to sell them, even if they were in terrible shape and most or a few of us went , " HUH ", who in there right mind would buy a building that is in such terrible condition !!!
Then, the BOE says that closing both Lowther buildings and moving 5th grade into the Grade Schools and moving 6th Grade to the new addition to EMS would eliminate two student transitions !!!
And now the plan is to move Turning Point Learning Center into the Lowther South Building ???
The BOE and others should have just said that they wanted a new addition to be built onto EMS in the first place, instead of trying to feed us " POE OLE DUMB TAXPAYERS " a line of " DOO, DOO " a mile long, because they were going to do what they did all along !!!!
December 16, 2010 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BeenFranklin (anonymous) says...
1234567: I love the way you're thinking. Great idea. Have they had any success in Washington or Oregon in town's our size?
December 16, 2010 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rcakmon (anonymous) says...
I agree. TPLC is a good program! But to move the fifth grade kids to schools that don't have room for them is ridiculous.
December 16, 2010 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
No it's not rcakmon. Now in a very short period of time they will be able to use the overcrowding caused by moving the fifth grade back to the overcrowded grade schools as a reason to build new additions onto all the grade schools. Mark my word....
December 16, 2010 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
TPLC is currently run by ESSDACK which works in conjunction with the local school district. I am unsure of what that means about building funding, etc. but it seems that the name is changing to Flint Hills Virtual Learning Center and I've heard a rumor that one of the Middle School principles will be placed there next year.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. The last thing I want to see, though, is the local school board running TPLC rather than just having to approve it. JMO.
December 16, 2010 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
1234567 (anonymous) says...
BeenFranklin - I'm not sure if they have had success in a town of Emporia's size that is not near a metro area. Most are in the Portland zone, however, there are some properties in resort areas. (http://www.mcmenamins.com/locations) I have eaten at McMenamins before and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Unfortunately I haven't stayed in one of its hotels yet - although they all sound really neat.
A hotel/brewery could serve as a unique place to stay vs. the hotel chains. It could draw weekend visitors from other areas that would not come here otherwise. There are so many possibilities if an investor group would get creative.
December 16, 2010 at 6:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
PIE IN THE SKY !
Office space, apartments? For the last 5 years or so, Empora has had the Teachers Hall of Fame building and Kenyon Hall , available and sitting vacant and deteriorating. Do a drive through of C of E Drive and count how many windows are out at Kenyon Hall. Senior housing? In my lifetime?
I'm sorry, but if the Lowther north and south buildings are in such sad shape, let's just tear them down and be done with it. And make sure that the board members who are responsible are given due credit for it.
December 16, 2010 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
We can name it the Scheller, Windsor, Crouch,Davidson, and Jordan memorial parking lot.
i thought I knew you people.
What happened?
December 16, 2010 at 9:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Let demolish them with dynamite is a creative manner and make a few bucks off sticking it on youtube.
You can't polish a turd folks...
December 16, 2010 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
romano1784 (anonymous) says...
If you ever have the chance to go to Europe for any reason i would like to introduce you to something almost unheard of in America unless its considered Patriotic. Culture.. With all the vacant building collecting dust here in Emporia you'd think the powers that be would notice. I remember standing outside the Doge's Palace in Venezia, Italy completely awed by the site of a centuries old building. And the Colliseum in Rome where ancient warriors would battle for honor, freedom, and survival to entertain the crowds and emporers. The school i went to was an american school. New by our standards. it was only 10 years old. the school 250 yards away was an Italian school, and it was 220 years old! Notice something here? We as a people cant seem to accept that just because its older, doesnt mean its bad. For all the jokes and such that those in the middle east live a stone aged life of damaged buildings and a primitive culture, THEY HAVE CULTURE! Pull up some pictures of other countries and look at their buildings that have been in use longer than their occupant has been alive! We need to stop looking to "improve" what we have and just accept what we have. Especially now that everything in america is designed to break. Nothing is made to last because their is no money in a product that doesnt need replaced. We need to establish a place where our grandchildren can go and say,"My grandfather worked in that building once.." and not live in a place where they say,"That space used to be where my grandfather and his company were before they built a new building and went bankrupt from the cost of repairs!"
America for Americans
December 27, 2010 at 4:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )