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| Post Number: 31
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jimhanson 
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Feb. 16 2004,6:01 pm |
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This is a copy of a PM "conversation" I recently had with another Forum member:
I've weighed in on this before--look under the "library" threads. About 3 years ago, and again about a year ago, some private citizens looked at what could be done with the school. The old school library is one of the newer sections of school, and COULD stand alone. A better idea, in my mind, is to do exactly what you said--a community/performing arts center.
One of the objections to utilizing the auditorium is "there's no dedicated heating and AC system", or "run a boiler just to heat the auditorium?". Another is "you'd have to have a janitorial staff dedicated to just one building".
Putting the library on the North side (where business education and Shop were taught) would be possible--the floors were built for Shop equipment, or are on concrete. It is also proximate to the auditorium, AND, would connect the auditorium with the newest section--the offices. You would think the offices would be desireable--right downtown, good parking at the demolished site or in the park.
There is more than enough space to include an Arts center--look what Owatonna did with the old "State School Orphanage"--or what Sioux Falls did with their old High School--half is a community center/arts center, the other half is an Exploratorium--hands-on science and discovery experience for kids, complete with IMAX theatre. The Center even has dinners and catered events there, and in 2000, when I interviewed the Director), they drew OVER 200,000 visitors--kids from other communities, bus tours, reunions, etc!
You might consider saving the gymnasium--not that old--there is a need for large indoor play/display space--the schools are charging an increasing rate for space. Having the buildings tied together provides the "critical mass"--a large enough complex to utilize the HVAC system, and to justify a full-time maintenance person.
One of the common criticisms of Albert Lea is that "there's nothing to do". Where WOULD you put on a concert--the high school gym? Great accoustics! How small town is THAT? We have no good venue for the performing arts, OR for touring companies.
One other enhancement--the auditorium would have a full-time tenant. Albert Lea Community Theatre plays to capacity houses--but since their season is short, the building costs are eating them up. Better to make them tenants of the larger auditorium, and charge them rent.
There ARE uses for the school, and they are uses that benefit the entire community. It would become a focal point--and the inclusion of the library makes it all possible. Compare the costs of renovation there with the possible benefits of "restoring downtown"--various plans have been promulgated for at least 40 years--all unsuccessful. This would be a better investment.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 32
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MrTarzan
Group: Members
Posts: 564
Joined: Feb. 2004
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Posted on: Feb. 16 2004,11:35 pm |
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Sounds great Jim, ever though of running for mayor? Sounds like you do a lot of research and have common sense. I agree that it would be great to do all the things you said, but how bad has the developer stripped it? Is it salvagable still? 
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Be not simply good, be good for something-Henry David Thoreau
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| Post Number: 33
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cea
Group: Members
Posts: 171
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,4:53 am |
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Hello all,
I have to step in on this one and kill a few rumors... I have spend an extensive amount of time in the old building over the last 6 months and have found a few things to be not true.
The fires that have "destroyed" the school consisted of a bottle rocket that scorched a 2"X4" area of carpet on the ground floor of the building. The smell of burnt carpet still lingers in the small office that this "blaze" took place in, but its not a total loss; one might be able to open a window and save the building.
Nothing has been taken from the building, when the school sold the contents of the building (desks, chairs, computer, other junk) that was the last time anything has been removed from the building.
This building can still be saved.
In my opinion if someone wanted to they could walk in tomorrow flip a few switches and have it operating as it was 4 years ago. I have no reason to think that this building could not function with a little creativity, some paint, and public support.
Again this is my first hand experience, take it how you want.
I do not in any way own the building.
I do not represent the landowner.
but I am trying to saving an area of the building that will never be replaced..
John H.
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| Post Number: 34
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farouk
Group: Members
Posts: 157
Joined: Feb. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,8:08 am |
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Does the community have a buck to save this building?
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| Post Number: 35
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MrTarzan
Group: Members
Posts: 564
Joined: Feb. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,5:40 pm |
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That is encouraging news cea. I hope it is true and that it has not been stripped. What is the owner planning to do with it then? That still becomes the question.
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Be not simply good, be good for something-Henry David Thoreau
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| Post Number: 36
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minnow
Group: Members
Posts: 2243
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,6:17 pm |
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Interesting cea. Do you mean the walls aren't "crumbling" like Paul Sparks would have us believe?
Why do you suppose Paul Sparks lied? Was it to make his decision to sell it for $1.00 more palatable to the public and make himself look better? 
If so, why is Sparky lying to us...isn't that uncool and improper from a public official? It doesn't sound like the guy who's picture is posted on billboards to me...sounds more like a liar and theif.
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| Post Number: 37
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collector
Group: Members
Posts: 48
Joined: Sep. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,7:01 pm |
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When did Paul Sparks sell it for $1? Wasn't it the school district that sold it? Another 4 pages of innuendo about damage inside and being stripped of salvageable material. Anyone have firsthand knowledge of that to make those claims? You now have someone that has seen it and says it isn't so. Who are the sources that started this diatribe? Like most of the threads here, page after page of chatter blaming someone else for things that turn out to be rumor. Thanks cea for having some first hand knowledge. Amazing how the thread stopped after some real truth is announced. Not any fun to express opinions on things that didn't happen.
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| Post Number: 38
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minnow
Group: Members
Posts: 2243
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,7:06 pm |
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It is more proof that Paul Sparks is a teller of non truths and is not to be trusted with money and assets.
Sparks has been lone power broker for so long in the land of the uninformed, that he can't even tell himself what is right and wrong anymore.
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| Post Number: 39
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hoosier
Group: Members
Posts: 1476
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,7:09 pm |
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I have been gone from the forum for a while, someone please explain this to me. We sold the building for 1 dollar, now they think they might have to buy it back? But for more than the 1 dollar it was bought for? If the city council approves paying any more than 1 dollar for it we should start a recall on everyone of the idiots. where in the hell do we get these people that run for office in this town?
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The power of accurate obsvervation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw
The devil begins with froth on the lips of an angel entering into battle for a holy and just cause. Grigory Pomerants
We have crossed the boundary that lies between Republic and Empire. Garet Garrett
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| Post Number: 40
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The Advocate
Group: Members
Posts: 116
Joined: Feb. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 22 2004,7:58 pm |
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Collector, you are wrong. Communicating the way we do on this forum is not the same as speaking to someone face to face when non-verbal expressions are observable, when inflections in voice are obvious, and all forms of the process both verbal and non-verbal are instantaneous. This forum does share a wealth of information for the most part and like all areas of society we too, come into contact with people that get just half a story, want only the gossip, or those folks that really have something truthful and worthwhile to say. Because responses are not immediate one needs to look at this element a little differently than face to face exchanges. I think the truth is spoken very frequently here and you do not like that. Dissention is not condusive to the status quo and you obviously are a proponent for business as usual. Most people know the truth when they hear it.
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