Comments on: A Final Tour of 5th Avenue Elementary

By: Don Calder

Don Calder — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:24:34 +0000

To anyone looking to salvage/reclaim materials at Fifth Avenue: ACT FAST.

During last week’s board meeting, Julie Rhame asked about plans to salvage/reclaim materials at the site. Susan Simpson (the project manager from Rosser, who can be reached at CSD’s Central Office) said no particular plans existed, and not much would be worth saving. She alluded to the difficulty of managing such efforts as folks inevitably compete for salvaged items — which, in turn, would oblige CSD to act extremely carefully, transparently and fairly.

Dr Edwards stressed the importance of duplicating successes at the high school, though, where bricks were shared with the community and some key architectural elements were salvaged (and incorporated into new construction, if only for display). Susan S responded by saying a keystone at Fifth Ave might fit the bill, but the conversation trailed off after that. I would recommend contacting Susan S for more details.

By: Deanne

Deanne — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:37:01 +0000

Thanks for sharing the photos of the old school! You can practically hear the little voices that once filled its rooms & hallways. It’d be super cool if Mr B could get a photo of the mural to the artist. (Wish it could be somehow salvaged too.)

May the new 5th Avenue school be a marvelous & imaginative space for Decatur’s bright young folks!

By: karass

karass — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:07:26 +0000

Eleven months does seem like a short time to raze a school completely and build another but it’s a big ticket item and the builder can probably do most of it. But pieces may be unfinished–after its renovation, Clairemont sat without any playground, just a muddy field, for a year . But Clairemont had no choice–it had no where else to put the kids. Agree with everyone that it would be better to delay the big 4/5 Academy move if it will make a difference in getting everything right and having all pieces in place when students and teachers move in. But there’s pressure from behind to vacate Glennwood. There’s a K-3 needing to form. Evidently enrollment is continuing to climb–a 7% increase so far this year, I heard.

By: sarahp

sarahp — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:16:00 +0000

I wonder how it will get done in a year too. It’s great if it does, but I’d rather that they be delayed a year and open in August 2012 than rush to try to make a deadline and end up with problems. It’s important to get this right.

By: Dave Kell

Dave Kell — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:17:50 +0000

On seeing my photos of the hardware floors, Doc Al, owner of the Trackside Tavern, was very interested in using some of it for the new buildout, and will be making some inquiries ASAP.

You can see a video montage at ndecatur.com.

By: JMorgan

JMorgan — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:32:25 +0000

Will they reuse/reclaim the brick and hardwood? I’m sure it’s valuable.

By: Moonmommy

Moonmommy — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:21:31 +0000

Look at all the hardwood floors. I wonder if someone would be interested in reusing those!

By: David

David — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:21:28 +0000

I just can’t believe that 5th Ave. Is going to be torn down and a new school built by August 2011