What's next for Ben Franklin?

January 25, 2006

PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

It is too quiet in Marcia Masters' Cunningham Avenue neighborhood and that bothers her.

"I do miss the kids," she said.

Students of the now-vacant Ben Franklin Junior High moved last fall to the New Castle Area School District's new junior-senior high school. They also took the spirit of the community with them.

While Taggart Stadium crowds reinvigorate the area on Football Fridays, the empty, 82-year-old structure reminds Masters that change is a constant.

"My concern is, 'What goes in there next?' and 'What happens next?" said Masters, a New Castle High graduate who had attended Ben Franklin.

The school district is closer to providing answers.

While sale or lease of the building is the most likely choice, Ben Franklin may house students once again. During the district's 2006-07 budget presentation last week, consolidation of the elementary schools was discussed.

"We have primary centers that are 50-plus years old," Superintendent George Gabriel said.

That leaves the districts with two options: repair the buildings or consolidate the centers.

"It would be the mother of all consolidations," Gabriel said. "It would be the final consolidation."

Studies dating back to 1986 recommend placing elementary students in one school. In September 2004, Gabriel and the school board asked Eckles Architecture to provide options on the issue.

The primary site considered for consolidation is the Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center, which has the space to build an addition. But the use of Ben Franklin has not been ruled out.

"What we have in front of us is a very serious change," Gabriel said. "Ben Franklin is not out of the mix."

Board member Philip P. Conti sees a return to the former junior high as a desirable move.

"You probably have some buyers for the elementary buildings if you go that way."

Ben Franklin has generated its share of interest. Without disclosing an identity, Gabriel said the district is in talks with a prospective buyer.

What a new owner would do with the site concerns board member Donna M. Donati.

"We've got to be careful," she said. "It would not be a good place to put apartments."

Masters, who has lived in the neighborhood for 27 years, agrees.

"If there was anyway they could repair (the school), as long as it wasn't a financial burden, I'd like to see it used."

She is against the building being used for low-income housing. Citing the low property values in the area, Masters said low-income apartments hurt the housing market.

However, the zoning allows for apartments at the site.

Ben Franklin is located in an area zoned for residential use, according to James Farris, New Castle's planning and zoning officer.

Under its R-2 designation, single- and two-family structures are permitted, as are public parks and playgrounds. The city also is allowed by the zoning designation to construct a municipal building on the site. Essential utilities, such as water lines and power lines, can be placed on the property.

Conditional use of the property requires approval of the city's planning commission and council. Among the conditional uses are public schools, nursing and convalescent homes, fire stations, churches, medical and dental clinics, hospitals, professional offices and apartments with five or more units.

Copyright (c) 2006, New Castle News