Keego Harbor's Roosevelt Elementary School, a fixture for over a century, is now the center of a heated legal and emotional drama as locals battle the West Bloomfield School District over its slated demolition. A recent development reported by The Detroit News states that an Oakland County judge granted a two-week stay to activists, giving them just enough time to quickly appeal to a higher court.

Judge Phyllis McMillen's decision has temporarily halted any immediate action to tear down the school, a much-welcomed respite for campaigners who have been determined to see the building repurposed instead of razed. "We don't stop and we won't stop until Roosevelt is saved," Jennifer Vasquez, a supporter of the preservation efforts, said as per The Detroit News. The school's existence hangs in balance, with asbestos abatement and demolition preparations eagerly eyeing to begin in late April.

The plight of the former elementary school has galvanized community members, who formed the non-profit Heart of the Lakes to sue the district and halt the demolition. Their lawsuit claims the school district ran afoul by not discussing or deliberating the demolition or asbestos cleanup bids publicly, as per the Open Meetings Act, reported by The Oakland Press. "The board delegated authority...and they narrowed down bids in a non-public way," Derek Howard, attorney for the activists, was quoted by The Oakland Press.

Despite the fervor ringing in the community's efforts, the school board is insistent that Roosevelt's fate is sealed. "The building as it stands is clearly a hazard and that hazard should to be removed from the public," was the position of the school district's attorney, Tim Mullins, during the legal proceedings. School board opposition also mentioned a strategic plan that was approved in September 2023, which includes the demolition of Roosevelt, according to statements from The Oakland Press.

Meanwhile, residents sported "Roosevelt for Everybody" shirts at a school board meeting, a visual embodiment of the communal sentiment towards the much-debated demolition. An offer by an architect to convert the building into affordable housing, as reported by Hoodline, fell on deaf ears with the board proceeding with its demolition plans.

Rooted deeply in history, Roosevelt Elementary is more than merely a building to those rallying for its preservation; it is a symbol of heritage that they are ardently striving to keep standing. As the clock ticks on the two-week stay, the community waits, hopes, and plans their next move in this hard-fought battle to save a slice of their shared past.