Sun
Sep 17 2006
04:01 pm
Isn't this the old South High School? Has it been sold?
By: D Mac

We saw a booth for this group at the Tennessee Valley Fair yesterday which showed a photo of their new "International Headquarters". It was a photo of the old South High School.

Check out (link...)

In particular, look under "projects"- international headquarters, and under "presenting", page 12.

Did we miss something about that property being sold to this religous group?

Topics:
Sandra Clark's picture

Return to Torah

Submitted by Sandra Clark on Sun, 2006/09/17 - 4:09pm.

We've got a short story on this in tomorrow's edition of the Halls Shopper-News. For those who don't live in Halls, here it is...

New Plan for Old School

Halls resident Mark Carr has a plan to renovate the old South High School property through a ministry called Return to Torah.

Carr, along with trustees Paul Drieman and Terry Williams, are asking Knox County to sell them the abandoned school for a nominal sum. They would then restore it “as close to the original architectural specifications as current codes and economic feasibility allows.”

The property at 801 Tipton Ave. heads the “Fragile 15,” Knox Heritage’s list of endangered historic places. According to their Web site, the school was designed by noted local architect Charles Barber and built in 1935-1936. The last class graduated in 1976.

Knox Heritage worked with the school board on a plan to preserve and reuse the building. The board voted to transfer the property to Knox County in 2004 so a request for proposals could be issued for redevelopment. In 2005, a local developer’s plan to restore the building for residential use was rejected by the County Commission.

Knox County now maintains the building.

Carr and his colleagues have worked with south Knox commissioners Paul Pinkston and Larry Clark to present their plan. Programs include activities for seniors; marriage seminars; counseling for drug and alcohol abuse; an activity center for home school families; mentoring and apprenticeship programs for youth and children; music, sports, a Christian singles group and Bible clubs.

Carr said youngsters would be mentored in exchange for their work to help widows. Info: 922-5420.

JaHu's picture

Yes that is the old SHS.

Submitted by JaHu on Sun, 2006/09/17 - 4:29pm.

Yes that is the old SHS. They put it up for sale recently. Tuesday (09/12/06) was the last day for proposals, they only recieved two. I had wondered if it might have made a nice mini indoor mall. Utillizing the Auditorium for a theater; the cafeteria... well, as a cafeteria; the library as a coffee shop bookstore; and the gym as whatever. The classrooms could have been used as small stores. It was just an idea! I believe it needed over 2 million dollars worth of work just to bring it up to code. It was only the oldest portion of the school that they were selling.

Rachel's picture

I do believe Holrob bid on

Submitted by Rachel on Sun, 2006/09/17 - 5:07pm.

I do believe Holrob bid on the property as well.

 Interesting - a year ago, Paul Pinkston and Larry Clark persuaded Commission (in a 8-10 vote) to refuse a "nominal bid" from Leigh Burch to buy the school and renovate it for housing.  Commissioner Pinkston opined then about how much the school was worth and that he was protecting the taxpayers.

I guess it's a different story for your pet cause.

JaHu's picture

Historical Icon

Submitted by JaHu on Sun, 2006/09/17 - 10:38pm.

"I guess it's a different story for your pet cause."


I don't know if it's their pet cause per se, or if they are just trying to save it from destruction. There isn't many historical icons left in South Knoxville (as if there ever was any), but I think a lot of people south of the river would like to see it preserved if at all possible. I was told the interior is in pretty rough shape due to vandelism. I was hoping to go in and take some pictures but my request was turned down.

R. Neal's picture

This story, and this entire

Submitted by R. Neal on Sun, 2006/09/17 - 11:33pm.

This story, along with this thread, is totally bizarre. On so many levels. And so full of irony. Oh well. It is South Knoxville. And that's what I love about South Knoxville -- it's so South Knoxville.

dmcd's picture

look who "approves" of the project

Submitted by dmcd (not verified) on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 6:26am.

look who "approves" of the project, according to the group's powerpoint presentation...here....Ragsdale, Clark, and Pinkston.

Up Goose Creek's picture

Well

Submitted by Up Goose Creek on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 7:15am.

Other than concerns about the separation of church and state (a big one) I think this idea has merit. I have advocated the use of this building for senior housing or for a senior center because you can match seniors who have spare time with schoolkids who need attention and that's exactly what this group promotes.

I'll be happy to see the building saved but would like to know more about the resources of this group. And I'm curious whether this group is planning on heavy prostletizing or plans to demonstrate their faith by good works. And another big question of course... will they be looking for public funds.

I just went back and read the bios. One of the directors and the pastor have a lot of construction experience, including roofing experience, that much is good.

As far as favoritism goes, the condition is such that I don't think anyone is receiving a huge favor by having the opportunity to sink a LOT of time and money into rebuilding. As for why they didn't go ahead and sell to Leigh Burch, Larry Clark will tell you there were blank spaces in the contract that made him uncomfortable. Can we compare and contrast the constracts?

D Mac's picture

A second bid on the property?

Submitted by D Mac on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 7:50am.

Does anyone have any information about the second bid on the property that is referenced in this thread?

Rachel's picture

Larry Clark will tell you

Submitted by Rachel on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 8:32am.

Larry Clark will tell you there were blank spaces in the contract that made him uncomfortable

One week before the vote on selling the building, Larry Clark was on board.  KH had been talking to him all along.  Then Pinkston got pissy and decided to save us all from ourselves, and talked Larry into opposing the deal.

Even with both south knoxville commissioners against it, it still got 8 votes aye.  So it couldn't have been such a bad deal.

Look, I want the building saved - and these folks may be fine.  I'm just annoyed at Clark/Pinkston riding in to save the day when it would have been saved a year ago without their intervention.

Socialist With A Gold Card's picture

You said it

Submitted by Socialist With ... on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 8:46am.

This story, along with this thread, is totally bizarre. On so many levels. And so full of irony. Oh well. It is South Knoxville. And that's what I love about South Knoxville -- it's so South Knoxville.

The most fun-filled nugget of irony was the part about using this former public school as a resource center for home-schoolers. Somehow, I doubt Commission will get the joke.

--Socialist With A Gold Card

"I'm a socialist with a gold card. I firmly believe we need a revolution; I'm just concerned that I won't be able to get good moisturizer afterwards." --Brett Butler

 

bizgrrl's picture

I, for one, do not

Submitted by bizgrrl on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 7:51am.

I, for one, do not understand why bidding for these types of properties is not announced more widely to the public. This particular facility obviously was of interest to the constituents of Pinkston.

What was Holrob's proposal?

Is this a done deal?

Why focus just on widows? Why don't they mention widowers?

Keep the Sabbath

Publications

Christian Dress

zoomfactor's picture

Can you say "red herring?"

Submitted by zoomfactor on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 11:02am.

as close to the original architectural specifications as current codes and economic feasibility allows

Usually, this is code for "scrape to footprint and rebuild."

dmcd's picture

sick and tired

Submitted by dmcd (not verified) on Mon, 2006/09/18 - 11:14am.

I see a pattern emerging. Derelict historic property in our urban core? Get the support of the preservationists, find a ministry, take free federal funds, and create another "mission project."

Wonder how long before the Church of God folks take to ask for block grant money to make the numbers work?

Lather, rinse, repeat. Fifth Avenue Motel/Volunteer Ministry Center, South High. What's next?

So much for finding a highest and best use.

How is that Fifth Ave Motel looking these days? Doors and windows wide open, trash is back, people are climbing the fence and living inside. Ah, urban renewal... VMC has taken over a million in block grant money and all we have to show for it is an empty lot for a building she said she had to have but tore down, and the Fifth Avenue, which they don't even bother to secure. But they did roll the TV cameras out for their one big trash pickup two months ago. Nuthin' since.

Bbeanster's picture

Don't forget Brownlow. That

Submitted by Bbeanster on Tue, 2006/09/19 - 5:20pm.

Don't forget Brownlow.
That has to be pretty high on the eyesore list.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

TN Progressive

TN Politics

Knox TN Today

Local TV News

News Sentinel

    State News

      Wire Reports

      Lost Medicaid Funding

      To date, the failure to expand Medicaid/TennCare has cost the State of Tennessee ? in lost federal funding. (Source)

      Search and Archives