The past will be a part of the city’s future downtown development, city officials say.
The city commission on Monday said it would only consider development proposals that keep all or part of the historic high school at Town Square, which includes City Hall, the library and the downtown police and fire stations.
Saving the vacant old high school, at 125 E. Ocean Ave., has been a divisive issue for close to 30 years because it sits on a prime spot for redevelopment.
Some say the school, built in 1927, is too old and the $6 million quoted by developers to keep the entire building standing is too expensive. Others say redeveloping the school presents a unique opportunity to spark the downtown economy and honor the city’s history.
Assistant city manager Colin Groff said the city has received two proposals for the Town Square area, one with the school and one without it.