By Paula Mabry and James Day
The Silverton City Council has directed staff to proceed with plans for the demolition of the former Eugene Field School, which was built in 1923.
The 6-0 council vote on April 2 will pave the way for a new police station and eventually a civic center.
Former Mayor Stu Rasmussen asked the council to seek more public input on the issue – send out letters and post signs.
Mayor Kyle Palmer, however, countered that the meeting was the second opportunity for public comment, the matter had been on the agenda, and information was available on the city’s website and on social media.
Four audience members, including Silverton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacy Palmer, spoke in favor of moving forward.
“I think, honestly, they (the public) are tired of talking about it,” she said.
“Repurposing that school for an emergency facility was not realistic,” Councilor Dana Smith said of one of the alternatives suggested.
Councilor Jim Sears predicted the public will be energized when invited to participate in the design of the new facility.
City Manager Christy Wurster said the 2018-19 budget being drafted will include funds for the demolition and added that staff will look at elements of the building that might be reused, such as the gym floor or obtaining a cast of the building’s entry columns.
Dollar General: Officials with the company told Our Town that they hope to open the new store on North Second Street in Silverton by early summer. Angela Petkovic, a spokesperson for the Goodlettsville, Tennessee company, said the store will have 7,200 sq. ft. of sales space and employ six to 10 people.
The company also has a foundation that offers annual grants to support literacy programs that are within 20 miles of a Dollar General store. See
www.dgliteracy.com for information.
