Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 8, 1995 TAG: 9507100054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But others questioned the need for a new school in the predominantly black neighborhood and said it might undermine efforts to integrate city schools.
``It would be in the heart of the black community. I think it would be a real boost to the morale of our neighborhood,'' said Marilyn Curtis, vice chairwoman of the board.
She is part-owner of Hamlar & Curtis Funeral Home, which is located in the middle of the area where Bowers wants the city to build the school.
``We have seen the area deteriorate in recent years,'' she said. "I think it is a very good proposal and it would add prestige to the neighborhood."
Florine Thornhill, a leader in the Northwest Environmental Council, also said Bowers' idea sounds good.
``We need to do something to help improve the area,'' said Thornhill, who has been active in revitalization efforts in the community for more than a decade.
Thornhill and the Northwest Environmental Council have won local and national recognition for their revitalization program. Bowers cited Thornhill's efforts in a letter to City Council outlining his proposal.
Bowers has asked the School Board to consider building a school in the area bounded by the Norfolk Southern Corp. railroad tracks on the south, Interstate 581 on the east, Orange Avenue on the north and 24th Street on the west.
The school could serve as an anchor to stimulate revitalization of Gainsboro and the Northwest neighborhood, Bowers said. Renovation of seven elementary schools in recent years has encouraged renewal in other neighborhoods, he said.
School Board member Charles Day said he shares the mayor's belief that it could help stabilize the Northwest community.
``Judging from what renovation of schools has done in other neighborhoods, it would seem to be a good concept,'' Day said. ``I don't see any problem with it.''
School Board member Melinda Payne said she, too, supports the proposal, noting several schools were closed and razed in the neighborhood during the 1960s and '70s.
``I'm happy to hear it,'' Payne said. "I fully support the idea, but now we have to figure out how to make it a reality."
But Wendell Butler, a former chairman of the School Board, said the city should first determine whether a new school is needed.
``I would like to see a study of the need before any decision is made,'' he said.
Butler also questioned whether a new school would hamper the effort to integrate city schools. He was chairman of the School Board when the former Harrison and Loudon elementary schools in the neighborhood were closed to promote integration.
``We have bused kids out of the neighborhood to bring about integration,'' said Butler, also a former vice mayor.
Unless white children are bused in, he said, the new school would be predominantly black.
The Rev. Charles Green said he does not see a need for the school because few families with young children live in Gainsboro and the nearby areas in Northwest.
``You don't have that many residents in Gainsboro now,'' Green said. "I really don't see a need for a school in that area."
Richard Kelley, assistant school superintendent for operations, said school officials haven't done any extensive analysis of the need for a new school. But he said that could depend on whether the city tries to promote residential growth in the neighborhood.
``If there is more growth, you might consider a new building or making an addition to an existing building,'' Kelley said. ``It is something that the city and schools could work together on.''
None of the three elementary schools immediately outside the area cited by Bowers is operating at capacity. They are Lincoln Terrace, Forest Park and Roanoke Academy for Math and Science.
Forest Park is one of seven elementary schools renovated in recent years.
A new elementary school would probably cost between $4.5 million and $6 million, Kelley said, and would probably be financed with a bond issue.
Nelson Harris, chairman of the School Board, said the mayor's proposal will be considered, but the board will concentrate on the modernization of four middle schools and the two high schools in the next several years.
The middle school projects began in June, when the $6 million modernization of Stonewall Jackson Middle School got under way. One middle school will be renovated in each of the next four years.
by CNB