The Atlanta community is up in arms as a local school contemplates the demolition of a 112-year-old historic building that once served as a whites-only almshouse. The Galloway School's Gresham Building, which has nurtured many students, including Martin Luther King III, may be replaced with a new structure inspired by the original, despite outcry from alumni and preservation groups.
The proposal, which was made public in late November, has sparked petitions and preservation efforts aiming to prevent the demolition. According to a report by FOX 5 Atlanta, nearly 500 people have signed a petition urging the school to reconsider. David Finehirsch, an alumnus and architect, said, "It would be just a travesty to see it torn down. This [building] has a lasting impact on me personally. I’m an architect and developer, and I can’t imagine I would become that had I not attended the school in that building."
Accredited by the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, "It's a community landmark, it’s been recognized by the National Register [of Historic Places] as a significant structure." stated Bruce Johnson, an alumnus and local resident, according to the same FOX 5 Atlanta report.
Adding to the historic resonance, the building's design features prominently in the school's branding. The choice to possibly raze the structure struck many as contradictory given that the school itself had it listed on the National Register, suggests an opinion piece from the Marietta Daily Journal. The almshouse played a significant role in local history, evolving from housing injured veterans and the infirm to becoming the site of Elliot Galloway's educational vision in 1969. The Galloway Forward campaign, as noted on the school's website, touts a future facility inspired by the Gresham Building, suggesting that while the form may change, homage will be paid to the original.
The community is currently waiting as the proposal to demolish has been put on hold for "ongoing neighborhood discussions" until at least January. In the meantime, alumni and historical organizations are investigating the possibility of renovating rather than razing. A proper assessment of renovation costs versus demolition costs has yet to be conducted.
