Abandoned school in Eastern Pueblo planned for demolition
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - It's an eyesore that the community has wanted removed for years and a plan to knock it down has finally gathered some momentum. With plans to be turned into something that organizers say will bring hope into the community.
The abandoned Spann Elementary school has become a hub, raising safety concerns. Locals tell KRDO they want it gone; however, the price tag is a hefty $3 million.
But with help from the city, it’s one step closer to happening, says Rocky Mountain Ser, who purchased the building in 2018.
"When a school pulls out of a community, that is vital resources that is leaving a neighborhood. And so that leaves away hopes, dreams, aspiration goes away. So we're trying to bring that back into communities," says RMSER CEO, Christopher Hall.
The organization says that the demolition has been a long time coming, and the next steps include applying for the EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant, which is worth $2.4 million, and if approved, start demolition as soon as June.
In its place, Rocky Mountain Ser says the overall project will include affordable housing, a grocery store, a community center, a resilience hub, and more.
"The community is going to be elated that we get this building demolished and taken care of. Then they're going to be elated for what's to come for them," says Hall. You know, a grocery store that's in a food desert...they may be lacking the ability to obtain fresh, healthy foods."
Of course, KRDO13 couldn't just take Hall's word for it. We spoke to the community ourselves, and they are thrilled.
"I think it'd be pretty cool to have a grocery store kind of closer in the community...it'd be nice to have, maybe the staple stuff there. A selection like vegetables and produce...that would be nice," says a neighbor, Josh Ehlinger.
"Nice. I think it'd be nice to have something like that around here. Yeah, I would enjoy that," says Rosalie Alcon, who lives directly across the abandoned lot.
"Definitely am excited for that. Especially because it's literally right next door. So I hope we get all the benefits for that. Help get rid of those little eyesores and things. Make our town a little bit better, you know, a little bit more welcoming," says a local, Gilbert Martinez-Alcon.
You can still submit comments on the project until the 26th to the following email: chall@rmser.org, and learn more here.
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