Maybe Fairmount High School is not meant to be saved.
It is 109 years old. It’s not been kept in prime condition.
The school sat vacant from 1986 — when it was closed — until the Madison-Grant Youth Basketball League purchased it and began using the gym for games. A large portion of the rest of the school is fenced off and falling apart.
In 2001, the school was placed on the annual 10 Most Endangered list compiled by the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. In 2003, it was considered “saved” and removed from the list. The savior was the California-based Historic Properties Inc. The youth league transferred the property to Historic Fairmount Inc. to expedite renovations.
Historic Properties is promising fabulous things.
According to their Web site: “The James Dean Performing Arts Center will include the completely restored stage and auditorium where a young James Dean first performed, as well as the third-floor classroom where he first studied acting. Many of Dean’s classroom fixtures still exist in their original form and will be incorporated into various public venues highlighting his accomplishments and enduring influence on American culture.” Dean’s speech and drama teacher Adeline Nall’s drama and speech classroom will be used for an exhibit of James Dean memorabilia.”
So far the company has:
n Created the Fairmount Foundation to solicit funds to restore Fairmount High School.
n Solicited funds on letterhead reading: “James Dean Performing Arts Center & Museum.”
n Thrown a fundraiser with big Hollywood stars to raise money. How much? We don’t know. They are mum on what their fundraising goal is. They are not saying how much they raised, but noted to youth league officials at the end of November that they are still $800,000 short and need several more months to come up with the funding.
They’ve said nothing about how the money is coming in. Is it in hand? Is it a pledge?
Their Web site (www.fairmountfoundation.org) appears not to have been updated in some time. The last news release published was for the Nov. 9, 2006, fundraising event in California.
Nowhere on the site does it say how much money they are trying to raise.
The site shows a listing of artifacts available for purchase from the historic building. Friday, only two items were listed — 47 auditorium chairs and numerous bricks.
However, Fairmount Surplus (www.merrijoysurplus4sale.com) is selling items from the school as well for the California company. Its listing is much longer, but as of Friday, said there were only 12 chairs left to purchase. Are these items being sold the “fixtures” “in their original form” which will be “incorporated into various public venues” at the school?
The contract between Historic Properties Inc. and the youth league, signed Nov. 26, 2002, states that if sufficient funds were not obtained to complete the project in five years, the building was to be demolished and the real estate returned to the league.
It’s been five years and 20 days. What has been done is unclear. What will be done is unclear.
While creating a James Dean Performing Arts Center sounds incredible, there are more pressing needs for Fairmount. From protecting our children from a school that is becoming a “death trap,” according to a resident who works with the Fairmount Ambulance Service, to providing a new parking lot to a basketball league in need of space.
What’s more important? What a California firm is vaguely saying about the small town? What they say they will do but haven’t done? Or continued support and protection for our children?
Opinion
EDITORIAL: Group's promises of preservation seem to be fading
- Opinion
-
-
Editorial: Get permission before school pranks
Anderson High School decided to show some solidarity with their Cascade peers and filled up the school with post-it notes, all in good fun. This prank was also done after hours but with a big difference: The students had requested and received permission to imitate Cascade.
-
Maureen Hayden: Readers weigh in on low voter turnout
A couple of columns ago, I posed a question about why most Indiana polling places on primary election day had so few customers.
-
You Said It: About fundraiser, missing woman, building preservation
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
-
Scott Underwood: Help us with book about local athletes
Over the years, Madison County has been blessed with more than its share of extraordinary athletes. Through their feats on the field of play, they’ve brought us excitement and inspiration.
-
Editorial: Memorial Day helps put face on wounded warriors
This is the perfect weekend to thank a veteran, an active duty service member or a wounded warrior for his or her service. Our positive, encouraging response goes a long way in defining our society.
-
Editorial: Honor those who fought, and celebrate our freedom
This weekend, keep in mind the reason for Memorial Day — to remember those who have been so important in our lives, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in military service.
-
Editorial: Governor candidates offer conservatism, moderation
The jockeying for position has begun in what is basically a two-horse gubernatorial race. Each offers voters a legitimate option. The November outcome may offer a simple referendum on the mindset of voters: Are they most persuaded by Mike Pence’s conservatism or by John Gregg’s moderation?
-
Editorial: Keep up the chorus against the landfill
Occupy Anderson has joined the ever-growing chorus against the proposed Mallard Lake landfill. Sam Mudd, a member of Occupy, is taking his studies on how the landfill might pollute Anderson’s water to areas of the county to drum up support against the landfill.
-
Letter: Public should have say on library space
As taxpayers, does the public have no say-so what happens with their tax dollars? With some proper schedule management, those existing meeting rooms can fulfill everyone’s needs.
-
Letter: Election fraud tales turn voters away
Columnist Maureen Hayden asked, “Why did 3 million Hoosiers choose not to vote?” She gave a few reasons but I can think of another one.
How about election fraud? - More Opinion Headlines
-
