Grambau Center ownership not to change anytime soon

by Peter Jakey– Managing Editor

Months shy of its 80th birthday, the Grambau Education Center has not outlived its usefulness to the Rogers City Area Schools. An ad-hoc committee had been looking at ideas of what do to with the built-to-last pillar of brick and steel at the corner of West Huron and North Fourth Street, including the possibility of using it as a business incubator in town, but they needed to find out what the district?s position was. County Development Commission executive director William Valentine, who attended the January 14 board of education meeting to get an update, learned the district isn?t selling ? at least not for now.

The district?s property and facilities planning committee met December 17 to specifically discuss the Grambau Center. Committee member Tim Horn said the recommendation is to take a ?wait-and-see? approach. ?We would like to sell the building,? said Horn, ?because it is very expensive for the district to maintain.? ?ON THE other hand?if the Wolverine Power project comes to be, we more than likely will need that school to house students. If we got rid of it, it would put us in a jam.? The Wolverine Power Clean Energy Venture initiative is expected to bring around a thousand construction jobs for several years and a spike to the town?s population.

?We understand the school’s need for a ?wait-and-see? approach until they know whether the Wolverine Power Clean Energy Venture is a ?go,? ? said Valentine. ?In the meantime, we are looking at other options for establishing a business incubator in Presque Isle County.?

The Grambau Center opened in the spring of 1

928 as the community high school, but until a few years ago, the building housed a couple of middle grades on the second floor. They eventually were moved to the high school building. The Grambau has been the home of the superintendent?s offices, as well as Tots Aboard and Head Start.

IN OTHER business: ? Assistant administrator Sarah Brege announced the four-year terms of Armand Loiselle and Allan Smolinski, as well as the year-long stint of board appointee Robert Starnes are coming to an end. School district voters will be asked to fill two full terms and the final three years of the term started by Starnes.

Nominating petitions can be picked up at the county clerk?s office, but need to be back before February 13 at 4 p.m. Another option for interested candidates is to pay the non-refundable fee of $100.

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