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Nancy Spencer Hable, Annandale
Apr 8, 2008
The "1922 Building" (the brick three- story, older portion of
Annandale Middle School), directly across from and east of the
library, is a longstanding part of this town's education and
history. The need to preserve that structure as a vital part of
Annandale's history and identity is beyond refute. One need only
look at other small towns which have not done so to see the
difference. One of its greatest advantages is the
1922 building's central location in the community.
Students can be independent enough to walk to their church,
public library or to downtown to eat a meal after school and
before their next event, all within a safe proximity. It is a
three-quarter walk to the elementary school. It has good traffic
flow, is well lit, has good sidewalks and fits within current
community design concepts. Although its location on 11 acres of
land limits great future expansion, our district is not
projecting exponential growth that would require such additions.
It is walkable to ball fields, the ice rink and does have green
space in the rear. Furthermore, remodeling/repair vs. demolition
is sound and responsible stewardship. As with many structures of
this type, the quality and architectural details simply cannot
be replaced in today's economy. The proposed cost of demolition
does not include environmental effects from landfill or
utilization of resources to produce the building materials for a
new structure. To restore the existing building, left so long in
disrepair, is recycling at its best. While I did not attend
school in Annandale, I would very much like my grandchildren to
be educated in the 1922
Building, should circumstances permit. To preserve this
historical treasure is affordable, good for Annandale and the
right thing to do.
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