Preserving Dunbar: 12 Years of Ownership
Plywood adorns a door and windows at Dunbar School.
{Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
When the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte [the Diocese] purchased Dunbar School in 2009 from Lexington City Schools [LCS], they had a vision. It entailed housing, preservation and a plan to uphold the history of the building that formerly housed the city’s Black high school during segregation.
When it became apparent the plan wouldn’t come to fruition, a state of limbo ensued.
Initial Plan Altered
Like the proposal Shelter Investment Development Corporation [SIDC] has on the table, the Diocese envisioned transforming Dunbar School into senior housing. Initially, it was believed this was an ideal location to provide the type of dwelling units they sought to create. As economic trends shifted, so did the organization’s plan for the building.
Dunbar School in 2014.
{Contributed photo/Charles Owens}
According to public records, the Diocese referenced the changes in public-private financing options and market conditions amongst the reasons for not proceeding with their original idea.
“As we worked through development plans it became clear the Diocese didn’t have the means to properly renovate the building, so we leased it to community organizations over the next several years as we considered alternative plans,” said Anthony Morlando, director of Diocesan Properties & Risk Management.
When the lease agreements ended, a decision was made to close the building as the Diocese continued to reevaluate. Although their plans were stalled, a portion of the proposal had the ability to proceed.
National Historic Registry Pursuance
When Charles Owens, president of the Dunbar Preservation Society, and the late Rev. Ronald B. Shoaf started conversing in the early 2000s, they had concerns about the long-term preservation of the school. Having seen the demolition of Dunbar School on 4th St. that was once the educational home of all Black students in Lexington until the Smith Ave. building was erected, the two Dunbar High School graduates devised a plan to protect the school from the fate of its predecessor.
“We knew they would vacate the area and we had to do whatever we could to try and salvage that school,” said Owens.
In 2008, a letter was sent to then LCS Superintendent Becky Bloxam by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources informing her that Dunbar School was determined to be “potentially eligible for the National Register and warrants further study.” The property was added to its study list of potential nominations.
Before the sale of Dunbar School was complete, Preservation North Carolina [PNC] was brought in to oversee maintenance of the structure and to help facilitate a transaction to a buyer who would be willing to uphold the school’s history. As the administrator of the agreement, it ensures the integrity of the structure remains.
Dunbar School in 2014.
{Contributed photo/Charles Owens}
“We have a historic preservation agreement on the building,” noted Cathleen Turner, regional director for PNC’s Piedmont Office. “That protects the building against demolition or inappropriate changes that don’t preserve the character defining features of the historic property. At the time, it was the Catholic Diocese who was vigorously pursuing residential projects for senior housing and then the recession hit. It upended a lot of developments across the state of North Carolina and the country. Unfortunately, the Diocese was impacted by that as well.”
Ultimately, a resolution was agreed upon.
“Fast forward, they made the decision with our support and encouragement to seek a new preservation- minded buyer who could then pursue a project such as that,” said Turner.
The choice to sell the property raised questions about the school’s state of affairs regarding the National Register. When the Diocese purchased the property, plans included taking the next steps to submit Dunbar School for placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Although they could’ve pursued the designation, they opted not to do so.
“You can always nominate a historic site to the register with or without the intention of developing the site,” stated Turner. “It’s always a good thing especially if it’s an important historic site, already gone through the study list process and the state has given it a thumbs-up for the next step which is the full-blown nomination. This could’ve happened whenever.”
Owens agreed, to some extent.
“I put part of the blame on PNC and the Charlotte Diocese,” Owens said. “What’s supposed to happen every five years is PNC must reevaluate the existing study list to see why it’s [Dunbar] taking so long and why it’s not on a higher level to be on the national registry. That didn’t happen.”
Upkeep of the Building
When the school was sold, it was in pristine condition, noted Owens, a member of the Board of Education at the time. Although the LCS Board of Education decided to relocate what was then known as Charles England Intermediate School to its new location on Cornelia St. instead of renovating the Smith Ave. school, the building had been well kept for decades.
Plywood has ben placed over the main doors at Dunbar School. Before the property reverted to Dunbar, it was Charles England Intermediate School.
{Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
Opinions vary as to when noticeable changes to the building began taking place. However, there is agreement that as the building continued to sit, unused, problems began to arise.
A current visit to the school will reveal a property of contrast. The lawn is mowed. Flowers are blooming on shrubs near the main doors. Healthy pine trees can typically be found swaying in the wind.
The building tells a different story.
There is chipped, peeling and missing paint. Greenery is flourishing above awnings. Moss is growing on the exterior. On many of the visible doors and a plethora of windows, plywood has been put in place.
According to Morlando, this is the result of issues with trespassing.
“The last year and a half, two years, we’ve been having a lot of problems with break-ins,” Morlando explained. “We were contacted by the police saying they were getting alarms going off almost daily. They advised us that we needed to secure the property.”
Hence the plywood. Morlando stated they wanted to prevent future issues and were focused on making sure things were safe for the neighbors. He said there haven’t been any additional problems since the building has been safeguarded.
Owens feels differently. For him, the preservation of the building is more than simply keeping the lawn landscaped and using preventative measures to thwart trespassers from entering the school. It’s about taking care of the property to keep it in excellent condition. His timeline also varies from Morlando.
“They’ve done nothing with the school,” Owens remarked. “The plywood was just put up the last few months. I investigated and found out Ned Fowler’s [president of SIDC] contractor was responsible for putting it up there. They didn’t want anyone else going in the building and doing more destruction than they’ve already done. The Diocese has done nothing at all.”
Windows are boarded and foliage is growing at Dunbar School.
{Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
Within the community, questions have been raised as to why the city seemingly hasn’t enforced the codes in place regarding structures. Tammy Absher, director of the Office of Business and Community Development, noted that the city can only step in when there is a well-being or security issue. As is the case with notices for overgrown lots that “create opportunities for infestations and rodents.”
“We can’t enforce anything that is related to appearance,” Absher declared. “It has to be tied back to health and safety. In the past, the city has really pushed that to the limit. We get a lot of complaints about the way things look but that’s not anything we can legally enforce. We’ve had many cases on that building over the years. All we can do is have it closed up for safety.”
Changing Hands
In SIDC, the Diocese has found the type of buyer they envisioned: thoughtful and community minded.
“We have agreed to sell the 10-acre site at near cost to a development company that is pursuing plans for affordable senior housing like the Diocese had originally envisioned and that will honor the historic nature of the property, which the Diocese and the community value,” said Morlando.
Currently, SIDC has a site control agreement in place. The Diocese still owns the property. While PNC isn’t immersed in day-to-day operations, they maintain a level of oversight given their preservation agreement is in perpetuity.
“Part of our responsibility is administering the preservation agreement and ensuring the project falls within the parameters of the preservation agreement,” Turner said.
While all parties involved await to find out if SIDC will be awarded the historic tax credits needed to move forward with the project, Morlando emphasizes the Diocese is committed to conservancy of the building for as long as they own it.
“I want to reiterate that we’ve been trying to keep the property in orderly condition,” Morlando assured. “We’re very anxious for the legacy behind the Dunbar School to be fulfilled and to be a shining example of the historic nature of the building.
