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"The Old Columbian Story" A collection of articles (Read from the top down) |
"Old Columbian Faces Demolition"
Ron,
I was reading the TCAA alumni web page today. Doug wrote a very nice article.
I had been thinking this weekend (after a long talk with Leona Livingston--Tiffin Historic) about
what can we do to get this message out to the whole alumni. It is important that they
know that we need to move quickly to get people and money
involved to save the building. I'm not Elaine or Bob Hunt, but it will take that type of
experienced, knowledgeable people who know how to run a
campaign to get this done. And there is only a six month
window of opportunity to get it done.
by Doug Collar '64
As the new Tiffin Middle School project nears June, 2003 completion, the
fate of the 1893 Columbian building is uncertain. Because the matching funds
provided from the State of Ohio, include economic incentives to dispose of
the old building, the Tiffin Board of education has set a January 1, 2003
deadline for a decision on the old school.
Unless a benefactor comes forward soon to provide funding for the purchase
of the old Columbian building, it is likely that the building will be torn
down and the property sold at auction. This is a fact of life which many
Columbian alumni will be shocked to witness when the wrecking ball swings.
However, there is a committee of the Tiffin Historic Trust working on a plan
to use the building as a community fines arts and performing arts center.
The building is still solid as a rock and, although not suitable for public
school use in the 21st Century, is perfect for multiple uses as a community
center. The older 1893 portion of the building is on the National Register
of Historic Buildings and the entire building is within the downtown Tiffin
historic district.
What can TCAA (meaning you) do the help save old Columbian? First, and most
urgently, a philanthropist with deep pockets is needed to front the purchase
money for the building. The school board will listen to ideas, but there
must be funding for purchasing the building. The Tiffin Historic Trust will
handle the details, but they do not have the money in hand to buy the
building. The benefactor can count on a tax deduction since the Historic
Trust has tax exempt status. The plans can then go forward to develop the
building as a community asset used as a fine arts center with other multiple
uses for the good of the community.
Second, all Columbian alumni are encouraged to write the Tiffin Board of
Education NOW to encourage them to save the building by co-operating with
the Historic Trust's plan. It is important to stress, however, that our
pleas alone will NOT save the building. The Board of Education is operating
under State of Ohio guidelines and has a significant dollar amount is at
stake in disposing of the old building. They have said that they are
sympathetic with the plan to save the building, but have to consider the
financial interest of the district first.
A large capitol outlay (i.e. cash) is essential if Old Columbian is to be
saved from demolition. If you want more information contact Jackie Fletcher,
chairperson of the Tiffin Historic Trust committe, at 1-419-585-2075.
Posted - 6/17/02
"Saving Old Columbian"
by Mary Lou (Walker) Harrison ('58)
Board of Trustees Member
mlharrison-hpins@woh.rr.com // 1-419-448-8768
Those who read Doug's article presented on this page
will get a taste of what is needed. Could you keep on with
more articles, info from Denise Callahan , etc. The state allowed $60,000 to
tear it down. That is what the school board would have to
have to not accept that state money? I am not clear on details--just rumors.
I think the Alumni Assoc. should hold some public
meetings, after getting the facts, so the public could get
involved. Thousands of graduates should be able to come
up with $l00,000. -- Mary Lou
We can use the Web site to support the campaign.
The problem is to get people to find and read the web site.
Of course, the information will only reach people on the internet.
I can post any articles people want to give to me.
All that is required is that they come as plain text in an email.
No word processing files (MS-Word, nor Word Perfect files).
If you write articles in WS-Word (normally stored as *.doc files)
you can and MUST save them as an HTML file.
The *.html files are text file from which I can extract plain
text for the web site.
If you can get the Adv-Trib to support you, have them
post the TCAA Web site address.
Get people to write articles.
You should encourage everyone to use the Web site's email promotion schema.
Using messages in the message board can help the spirit
of the campaign. -- Ron Reed
I have attended some of the Historic Trust meetings as the TCAA rep.
The plan to use the old Columbian building
as a community fine/performing arts center with other multiple uses is
coming along well. Right now, Jackie Fletcher of
the Historic Trust is chairing the campaign. TCAA might come in with a fund
raising effort once the plan is in place.
I feel certain that the school board will listen to the plan. However, they
are under pressure to make a decision by January 1. Hopefully, we will have
the proposal finished long before that. A public campaign
to raise the money from alumni is a great idea, but it should be done in
concert with the Historic Trust which is skilled in handling such matters.
I suggest that those interested in helping, contact Jackie Fletcher (1-419-585-2075)
to see how they might be of assistance. Also, the Ritz people have expressed interest in the
plan. I think that the TCAA board should discuss this at the earliest
possible time. -- Doug Collar
TCO Posted - 6/24/2002
.... maybe we should listen to these words again today!
Speaks to the Class of 1931
"The Old High School"
(Our Old Columbian High)
Words of Miltin Ganaga, Class of '05
I've only seen it twice in twenty-five years.
The last time I went a hundred miles out of my way,
but it was worth it.
To hold a man like that, a thing must have value, a value that grows
with the years, and the old high school does.
There's a personality about it into
which dreams are woven, its part of us and we're part of
it no matter how far we travel or what life brings to us.
It's the sum of the ideals of all its teachers and the total of the
aspirations of generation o youth on the threshold of life.
It's good to know that it is still there -- like sunshine,
and love, and God -- And to know that it goes on and that there
are hundreds more like myself, and always will be, straighter,
bigger and finer for the memories of the old High School
they cherish in their hearts.
Old Columbian Update by Doug Collar
At the last meeting of the committee, it was announced that the Tiffin Historic Trust has
commissioned architect Robert Gaede of Cleveland to do an architectural study and report
on the adaptive reuse of the building for a community fine arts center. The report and
architectural renderings will help us to approach prospective benefactors and will
establish a professional plan for moving forward with the project.
We are grateful to the
Tiffin Historic Trust for putting up the money for this step. However,
the fact remains that we must somehow find the funds to purchase the building by the
January 1 deadline set by the school board. There will eventually be a public auction, and
the highest bidder will get the property. Ironically, the property has been appraised as
more valuable without the building.
As soon as the Gaede materials are ready, we will be
approaching prospective benefactors. It is hoped that enough funding will materialize to
purchase the property. Then, a vigorous fund raising campaign can be launched to endow
the renovation that will be necessary to use the building in its new role as a fine arts
center for the people of Tiffin. If you would like to contribute to this effort,
contact me, and
I will pass your name along to Jackie Fletcher of the Tiffin Historic Trust who will contact
you.
: Doug Collar
A
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