Town receives $204,663 to demolish school, senior center

Blacksbrg has received a grant to demolish the Academy Street School The halls of two Blacksburg area schools will again be abuzz within the next few weeks, but not for the reason of educating local students.

Gov. Mark Sanford approved the Town of Blacksburg's request for a grant from the state's Community Development Block Grant program, allowing the municipality to receive $204,663 to demolish the old Academy Street Elementary School and the town-owned senior center.

Town officials received word from Sanford two weeks ago about the grant, which the governor said "will be used to increase the economic competitiveness of the town by demolishing and clearing two dilapidated schools."

Cherokee County school trustees voted in September to provide 25 percent in matching funds so the town could move forward with the project. The district's share comes to $62,000, which will come from the debt service fund, a 22-mill tax levy paid by taxpayers to pay for capital projects and school building program bond issues.

Blacksburg Academy Street opened in 1956 as an elementary school for black students. After schools were integrated in 1968, the building was used as a sixth grade annex in the 1970s and later a kindergarten school until Blacksburg Primary opened in 1985.

The school property has become a safety hazard more recently, however. It contains asbestos and has widespread structural damage.

"The old school is a mess," said Blacksburg councilman MIke Patterson. "It's became an eyesore for this community."

The Cherokee County School Board was the first to toil with the question about what to do with the Blacksburg Academy Street school, first bringing it up in January.

Initial estimates by the school board found it would cost $150,000 for asbestos abatement and demolition work.

With much of the country feeling the pain of the current economic downturn, Mayor David Hogue said to get the state's help on this project was a big plus.

"To get anything right now you're doing pretty good," Hogue said, "it will definitely do a lot to help."

According to Hogue, the demolition of the two properties will provide space to build a recreational area for the community, complete with football and baseball fields.