Latest effort to save Grambau Center spearheaded by councilman McLennan

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

Rogers City councilman Scott McLennan has been given the authority to represent the city in future discussions with the county and the school district regarding the future of the Grambau Education Center.

During the Oct. 7 meeting, McLennan requested that a letter from city manager Joe Hefele be sent to members of the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners and Rogers City Area Schools (RCAS) about being placed on each respective board’s meeting agendas to talk about the possibility of using the old brick building at the corner of Huron and North Second.

“I think it is really important to make it clear to those boards, not looking to force anybody into anything, if they are looking at putting up a new county courthouse, if they would consider looking at the Grambau Center for their needs,” said McLennan. “Are there some grants out there? Are there potentially other entities, businesses, something that might be interested in going into that building?”

McLennan is a former RCAS board of education president, who led many meetings in the former high school/junior high.

“I’m not

looking at spending a lot of money,” said McLennan. “I don’t think that is what anybody is looking at. In fact, I think that we would be conservative and try to save money.”

McLennan added that the future of the Grambau Center “is to have it bulldozed a few years from now, because it can’t sit empty winter after winter.”

In talking with school officials recently, the building is in relatively good shape at this time.

“It is not winter damaged, it is in good shape,” he added. “But, it will be shortly.”

McLennan believes time is of the essence toward preserving it.

A special committee consisting of longtime councilman Gary Nowak and McLennan has been established to take part in talks, if they transpire.