A section of Attucks High School in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, has been deemed structurally unsafe, and contractors say it will be torn down as the wider Attucks Revive to Thrive restoration effort moves ahead.
Project leaders said the plan is to remove the north wing of the original 1916 building, while preserving the historic brick for future use in the renovation. The same first phase of work also calls for stabilizing the building’s shell and reroofing the south wing of the original structure.
According to a news release from WB Properties, contractors met with city officials Sept. 21 to share progress on the redevelopment effort. The group also announced a contract with Miranda Construction to complete Phase 1 work on the Attucks campus.
The push to protect what remains of the building follows a hearing with the Hopkinsville Code of Enforcement Board, where Men 2 Be was given 90 days to address structural issues tied to the oldest section of the campus. That portion of the building was labeled unsafe after a roof collapse raised questions about stability. Officials also cited non-emergent code violations connected to an addition constructed in 1957.
Built in 1916, Attucks served as the first public school for Black students in the area during segregation. Men 2 Be has outlined a plan to restore the former school into a community center, with a project cost estimated at more than $1 million. Early renderings described space for meetings, gatherings, and classes, along with apartments as part of the redevelopment, plus plans that include emergency shelter and food pantry use.
For crews working in historic brick buildings, the decision to salvage brick during demolition puts a spotlight on careful sequencing, on-site coordination, and clear communication with local officials, especially when code enforcement timelines are in play.
Read the full, original article from christiancountynow.com here.