The Port Arthur ISD School Board voted on the $10 million to complete the renovation on the former Woodrow Wilson Middle School campus in downtown Port Arthur. Dave Ryan/The Enterprise PAISD school's history parallels that of BISD's South Park By EMILY GUEVARA January 29, 2010 Posted: January 29, 2010, 12:37 AM CST Last updated: January 29, 2010, 1:00 AM CST The Port Arthur school district stood to gain $3.5 million, but the community was divided. A no-vote left the campus in the hands of the district. Today the school is on the brink of a $10 million renovation. Port Arthur ISD trustees approved Thursday the maximum price tag to renovate the former Woodrow Wilson Middle School, a stately campus with a red brick facade and white cupola. The school district hopes to turn the building into a visual, performing arts and technology facility for students from kindergarten to post high school. That history of Woodrow Wilson Middle School bears striking similarities to that of South Park Middle School in Beaumont. But their futures look quite different. comments Truthseeker wrote: Yes, Joe Spzhyzzick...what sort of "idiot" believes in historical preservation? When will we silly humans learn? Why, there's no telling what sort of poisons waft forth from the Tyrrell Library, the Jefferson County Courthouse, and the Kyle Block, not to mention even older buildings nationwide like the Alamo and Mount Vernon. Give me a break. Do you mean to say that decades of beauty and history represent nothing more than sentimentality, selfishness, and compromised health? Open your eyes, sir! Timelessness is not as easily cleansed and repaired as these landmarks. And history is never a selfish cause. As to "cancer haven", any shiny new McDonald's (or Wal-Mart, or other modern consumerist chapel), bloated with plastics and unnatural foods, better qualifies for that moniker. 01/30/2010 09:46 AM CST old-man wrote: I have been in Woodrow Wilson and several other of the old schools in PA. The craftmanship and attention to detail is remarkable in both the woodwork and metal work. Everytime I go into one of these buildings I try to notice all of the things that you no longer see in modern buildings. I know they are old, but save them if you can. They truly don't build buildings like this anymore. 01/29/2010 09:00 PM CST Joe Spzhyzzick wrote: Yeah, I hear you, Greenie! But Woodrow is a sick building....with 70 years of mold growth and toxic buildup from the environs of PA, it is a health hazard...as is SP. The people who work in these buildings have chronic breathing problems and allergies.....You don't want kids going into these cancer havens......The only investment you idiots have either in Woodrow or SP is misguided sentimental loyaly to selfish cause..................................... 01/29/2010 08:23 PM CST GREENIE 1969 wrote: Hoorah for PAISD there people in the golden triangle that think renovatng is better than building new or tearing down . Hats off to PAISD. BISD you better pay attention to PAISD.Know wonder they are doing so good. 01/29/2010 11:14 AM CST HillebrandtHoney wrote: Good for PAISD - they are doing a great thing by renovating this structure and keeping their history alive in Port Arthur. We can only hope that BISD does the same thing with South Park. I have noticed that BISD has been very quiet on what they are going to do. I'm afraid it will be under the cover of darkness that they will tear down South Park - and just for spite. 01/29/2010 08:16 AM CST fredsaid wrote: "I have no idea," Thomas said. "I don't know about all of this. It is something that we didn't know about. I can't make any comments about it whatsoever when I don't know about it. So, I would rather find out about it before I made any comments about it." 01/29/2010 08:13 AM CST Wavy Gravy wrote: Carrol Thomas should be paying attention......and preserve history for the future instead of tearing down a majestic landmark. This story about preserving historic Wilson school is proof that PAISD is more community conscious than BISD's Carrol Thomas. 01/29/2010 05:26 AM CST |