(Cleveland)- The city of Cleveland is ready to fast track a project that would revitalize the old Oak Springs School building, on Campbell Street, in Cleveland. When completed it will initially provide a new home for the city’s police department and later be used as a community center and museum.
The city council in a called meeting Thursday morning heard a report from contractor Ron Cantrell and architect George Hlavenka about the possibilities for the building that has been vacant for several years.
Prior to integration, the school was one of three in the county used for black students.
Cleveland Mayor Shan Ash says there are several avenues to explore for the short and long term, “Right now we are looking at moving our police and maybe our annex over there, it’s all in discussion right now, we’re moving forward with it and I’m excited about getting something going as for as some facilities for the city,” said Ash
Ash said whatever they do they want to preserve the historical importance of the facility.
Cantrell said after inspecting the building he sees some great possibilities for the 4,000 square foot facility. He said, ” the building has very good bones, as it is called in the industry, it’s very open to do most anything you want to do because it’s a post and beam construction which means none of the interior walls are load bearing. It appears the building is very good and it’s kind of an open slate for the commissioners and all the stakeholders to decide what is best for the future use.”
Councilman Bradley Greene said he would like to see them move aggressively with the project.
Both Ash and Cantrell agree this project could get started real soon.
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