Historical Provo school to shut doors, be destroyed

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    By Callie Buys

    One of Provo”s most historical schools – in age, at least – is almost history.

    The Provo City Board of Education voted 4-1 on Saturday March 23 to raze Maeser Elementary School unless a more viable solution can be presented before July 15.

    The 103-year-old school, 150 South 500 East, will be vacated by July, said Greg Hudnall, director of student services for the Provo School District.

    Maeser students and faculty will begin classes at the new Spring Creek Elementary in southeast Provo this fall.

    “I feel like we”ve looked at everything,” Hudnall said. “We”ve done a lot of work to figure out what”s best for that facility.”

    The resolution approved Saturday allows residents to submit a feasible plan for Maeser”s land to the board by July 15, board president Richard Sheffield said.

    Any plan must include information proving ability and commitment to pay the $400,000 the board will require to lease the land for the first year, Sheffield said.

    This amount would include necessary renovation to bring the building to safety standards.

    Either way, the district will retain the property for future use. If no alternate use is found and the building is razed, the land will be used as a public park, board vice-president Darryl Alder said.

    Some residents of the Maeser and bordering Joaquin neighborhoods don”t want to see the historic building destroyed.

    “I think that there is hope,” said Bonnie Callis, chairperson for the Joaquin neighborhood. “We need to act fast.”

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