The fate of the West Broad School remains undetermined, after Clarke County School Board members voted last week to deny a proposed demolition plan. Tommy Valentine is Executive Director of Historic Athens. He supports the board’s decision.
“We saw five brave Clarke County School District Board of Education members stand up against demolition, and offer us a chance at a new path forward,” according to Valentine. “The demolition of the Campbell Lane building has been denied, the plan that would have irrevocably destroyed all separate but equal history from that 150-year-old West Broad School site was rejected.”
The board will now go back to the drawing board and will consider a variety of options.
Valentine says the impact involved citizens have on what happens in their communities should not be underestimated.
“It’s definitive…would not have gone this way without the tireless efforts of this community.”
Historic Athens, along with area experts in partnership with the organization, is hoping to help with the process.
“Historic Athens has offered our full support and that means not only just our enthusiasm, but also we’re happy to bring in any of our area experts, folks from the College of Environment and Design, preservation planners, to help with this process.”
The school board is hold a virtual Community Event Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7 pm.
