Council discusses school reuse options

PRESQUE ISLE – City councilors held their first regular meeting of the year on Monday night, discussing reuse options for Cunningham Middle School and setting a public hearing date to receive comments on the issue.

The city expects to take ownership of the Third Street middle school in September, after it is vacated this summer by the local school district.

SAD 1 officials approved in 2003 a reorganization plan that called for the closing of the 81-year-old building and the refurbishing of Presque Isle’s other middle school, Skyway, which was built in 1963.

The district is in the midst of a $5.3 million project to renovate the existing facility and finish a 31,000-square-foot expansion of the building, which officials are referring to as Presque Isle Middle School.

Officials expect project completion by August 2005, in time to move the district’s 450 sixth- to eighth-grade pupils into the building for the 2005-2006 school year.

With no further plans for Cunningham, SAD 1 officials offered to transfer ownership of the building to the city. Councilors accepted in December the ownership transfer, though it is not expected to take place until September 2005, after Presque Isle Middle School officially opens.

In the interim, city officials say they want to hear suggestions from the community about what should be done with the building.

Several recommendations already have been made, Jim Brown, director of economic and community development, said on Monday night. Brown was standing in for City Manager Tom Stevens, who was unable to attend the City Council meeting.

The city has received suggestions for development and housing at the site, Brown said, but would like to review all possibilities.

“This [public hearing] will help the city as it moves toward the possible acquisition,” he said.

Councilor Ron McPherson said he knew of one new option that was in the works that he believed would be presented at a later time. He did not give any details about the option.

Other councilors did not offer options, but suggested that the city move expeditiously on the matter since Presque Isle plans to acquire the building just a few months before winter.

Councilors set the public hearing date for Feb. 7, to take place during their regular meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. in council chambers. The community is invited to attend and address the council with any comments or suggestions. Those unable to attend are encouraged to call the city office or e-mail suggestions to the city manager at tstevens@presqueisle.me.us.

The council will hold its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, in council chambers. The meeting will not be held on Monday because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. All city offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of the day.