The company specializes in restoring historic school buildings and putting them to good use, explained Linda Towle, chairman of the Cortez Historic Preservation board.
She said the group was not ready to go public and has two ideas for what the building could be used for, but she did not reveal them to local officials during a school board meeting last week.
“They did say plans included space for a museum that would be open to the public,” Towle said.
Whether the company wants to buy the building or lease it has not yet been determined.
“They found Calkins by Googling old schools, so it was serendipitous,” Towle said. “They want to make it useful to the community again.”
The building and property belongs to the Re-1 school district. It was vacated in 2008 by the school administration to allow for renovations that were started but never completed because funding dried up during the 2008 recession.
The timing of a potential new investor could not be better as the district has been struggling to figure out what to do with the old school that dates back to 1909.
Many locals remember going to school there and want it saved, said Calkins booster Jackie Fisher.
“There is a real passion for the building,” she said. “It is the largest historical building in the community, and preserving it deserves a thoughtful and informed approach.”
She said that many in the community “bristle at the thought it could fall into private hands” and would prefer it stay an educational facility.
“Please don’t give it away,” Fisher told the board. “The community expects it to be preserved. Don’t make me chain myself to the front door!”
But funding won’t come from the school district budget. The expense of restoring the impressive sandstone-block building is prohibitive and not a priority for the district, said Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter.
“I have seven buildings, some over 25 years old, that I’m obligated to maintain,” he said. “I honestly can’t justify spending funds on historic preservation.”
So far, more than $600,000 worth of grants has gone into restoration efforts at Calkins, including asbestos abatement, remodeling, and electric and plumbing upgrades, officials said. It would take another $2 to $3 million to complete the job.
What to do with the building has been controversial. Fisher said the board had earmarked $170,000 for rehabilitation projects at Calkins. But Carter said the money was reallocated to repair roofs on two elementary schools.
“The only way the school district could restore it would be too ask the voters for a bond,” Carter said. “This Kansas City group looked at it and said it is their type of project.”
jmimiaga@cortezjournal