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Warren schools, city mull land swap
BY JORDAN COHEN
WARREN
Discussions about land swaps and delaying demolition of the former Western Reserve Middle School highlighted the first joint meeting in two years between the Warren Board of Education and city council Saturday.
The informal session, at the Mocha House on High Street, had been requested by Council President Robert Marchese, who said he hoped for “an open dialogue to discuss pertinent issues.” Six of the 10 members of council showed up, as did the entire board of education and Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg.
Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at large, repeated an earlier request to delay awarding the bid to demolish Reserve so that research could continue on converting the building to a multi-generation community center.
The board is planning to award the demolition bid for Reserve and five other former school buildings Monday.
“It may be the 11th hour, but we still have one hour to go,” Rucker said.
Not so, replied Hellweg, who explained that a delay would create legal issues. The superintendent said the board’s bid advertisement requires demolition of all six buildings, which is why Reserve cannot be excluded. Hellweg added that a previous architectural study determined costs would be prohibitive to renovate a portion of Reserve for board offices.
“It would have cost $2.6 million on the newer section, which is 10 years old, and the rest would be even more costly,” the superintendent said.
The board eventually purchased the former Trumbull Savings and Loan building on High Street.
However, the two sides appeared agreeable when board member Edward Bolino proposed donating the land where the Western Reserve and Alden buildings are located for industrial use after the two buildings are demolished.
In exchange, Bolino suggested the city donate several lots near the former Jefferson and Willard schools to the board.
“They would provide more parking, and it would help get rid of eyesores,” Bolino said.
A suggestion from Marchese that the board conduct the national “Lights On after School” program in October drew a supportive response. Under the plan, homeowners would turn on outside lights when it is dark during students’ morning and after-school commutes. Marchese also called for city and board cooperation in providing more programs for students during non-school hours, while several other council and board members noted the willingness of a number of student volunteers to help clean up neighborhoods.
Councilman Eddie Colbert, D-7th, endorsed that idea, saying he hopes the students’ cleanup efforts will set a pattern for adults to follow.
Another joint meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Sept. 8.