By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The closed South Main School in Bowling Green has a storied past. And some Bowling Green residents believe it has more stories to tell in its future – not involving a bulldozer.
The city’s Historic Preservation Commission on Tuesday got an update on the possible rescue of the 135-year-old building. Bowling Green resident Rose Drain reported that a group of interested citizens recently toured the old school building at 437 S. Main St.
“It seems to be in fairly good shape,” except for some water damage in the gymnasium due to a leaky roof, Drain said.
“It has very good bones and has a lot of possibilities,” she said.
But what it needs are investors willing to turn the old school into some type of housing, Drain said. The group of citizens interested in the site plan to meet again soon to discuss the “fabulous possibilities” and potential investors.
To the unimaginative eye, the three-story school may look like a money pit.
The school was closed in 2005, and became a center for local arts and a child care center. The building was sold in 2011 and became a location for paranormal investigations, reportedly being a “hotbed of unexplained activity.”
The current owner, David Rosten of Newport Beach, California, has been unable to find a buyer for the site.
But the city’s Planning Director Heather Sayler, who just returned from a Heritage Ohio Conference focusing on revitalizing historic buildings, agreed the old school could have more life in it.
Sayler talked about several old schools in Ohio that have been transformed from shuttered unused buildings into loft type apartments or senior housing. She suggested that the city’s Historic Preservation Commission consider applying for National Register status for the building – which would allow investors to receive tax credits for the site.
“That’s the first step to getting potential investor interest,” she said.
“If you have the passion, the will and the people to do it,” it’s possible to salvage historic buildings for residential uses, Sayler said, noting the success in other communities.
Heidi Reger, a member of BG’s historic preservation group, questioned the cost of putting in an elevator and other ADA accessibility measures in the old school. She expressed skepticism that the site would be worth the amount of money it would require.
But Sayler said some communities are finding ways to make it work.
“It’s actually pretty fascinating what people have done to make them accessible,” she said. “To see the end results is amazing.”
Geoff Howes, another member of the historic preservation group, said he accompanied BG SONG members on their tour of the school last week.
“I was very impressed by the passion of the people looking at the building,” he said.
Howes noted that in other communities where historic buildings have been transformed into housing, the surrounding property owners often respond by trying to improve their neighborhoods.
John Sampen, chairperson of the HPC, asked that the commission be updated on any progress on the site.
“I appreciate all the public interest in that building,” Sampen said. “I hope we can figure out ways to help move that forward.”
The city’s Historic Preservation Commission has discussed the opportunity to save structures from possible demolition – such as the old South Main School – by including them in local historic preservation districts.
The city’s ordinance states if the commission finds a structure to be of great historic significance, that alternatives to demolition may be feasible and should be actively pursued.
The commission can take steps to preserve the property. Such steps may include consulting with civic groups, public agencies, and interested citizens; developing marketing plans; and making recommendations for acquisition of the property by public or private bodies or agencies.
South Main School was built in 1889 in the Tudor Revival style, characterized by its half-timbered gables, steeply sloped roof, and imposing arched entry door. The 23,408-square-foot building sits on 1.6 acres of land including a playground area.
In 2005 the school was closed due to declining enrollment and its deteriorating physical condition. The building had plumbing and electrical problems, was not handicapped accessible, and had inadequate storage, parking, and drop-off and playground space.
The board of education leased the building to the Arts Council Lake Erie West, and open houses were held to get public input on best uses for the old school.
Soon the “South Main Common Space” housed the Jack & Jill Child Care Center, the Hiryuu School of Martial Arts, a dance and healing studio called the Radiance Center for the Healing Arts, an art gallery, and several artists’ studios. The Common Space also hosted musical ensemble performances.
In June of 2011, the building was sold at auction.
The building was purchased by Rosten. In 2017, after the owner had repaired some $75,000 worth of roof damage, Fringe Paranormal Investigations leased and took over management of the building in order to open the space to public and private investigations of unexplained activity such as “phantom footsteps, strange noises, closing doors, and disembodied voices.”
In July 2022, Rosten asked Fringe Paranormal to vacate the building in anticipation of selling it. The building reportedly had further roof damage and no water service after pipes burst.
(Corrected: the group of citizens interested in possibly preserving South Main School is not officially affiliated with BG SONG.)
