HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Harrisburg community is one step closer to finding out the future of the abandoned William Penn High School facility after a task force made a recommendation on its use at a school board meeting held at the Lincoln Administrative building on Tuesday evening.
After being formed in September following community outcry, the William Penn Task Force recommended against the demolition of the former high school. Instead, the 25-member task force, which includes a wide range of community leaders, came to the conclusion that its best to turn the facility into a training academy that has academics, arts and athletics in mind facilitated through private partnerships with organizations and corporations in the area.
It's a vision they say puts area students in the best position to succeed.
"The idea was to bring together our community leaders to make recommendations on what would be the best and highest use of the William Penn facility to enhance the education of Harrisburg’s students and to benefit the community," said Shiela Dow-Ford, a co-facilitator on the William Penn Task Force.
It’s a recommendation that community members are happy to see.
"I love seeing the possibility of seeing something rebuilt especially something with so much history," said Timothy Rowbottom, a resident of Harrisburg of over two decades.
The recommendation comes after the contract to demolish the building was rescinded last week and, instead, a $2.4 million deal was approved to remove asbestos, clean out, stabilize and secure the building.
The project to implement the Task Force’s recommendation would require additional funding, however, community members are confident they can raise the money needed to keep an iconic piece of Harrisburg standing.
"I think our community is a lot stronger than what they give us value for. I think there would be volunteers, I think there would be donations," said Rowbottom. "I think we could do it coming together as a community and not even rely on grants and turn something that’s broken into something that’s fixed for our community."
The William Penn Task Force emphasized their acknowledgment that the recommendations made on Tuesday evening have no authoritative power over what is decided with the building.
However, they strongly believe what they presented at the board meeting is the best for its schools, community and, most importantly, its students.