What to do with a $1 building?

Orange County is embarking on project to create a new use for an old school building that the county is purchasing from the Chester Union Free School District for $1.

Construction on the Chester High School building on Maple Avenue started in 1935 and it opened in 1937. It was a Works Progress Administration project and the architecture reflected the art deco designs of the times. The brick building features a clock tower with a copper cupola bell tower. In 1965, a new wing and gymnasium were constructed behind and connected to the original building.

After the 2003 high school graduating class left and the high school operation moved to another building, Maple Avenue was occupied by Orange-Ulster BOCES for 15 years. After the 2018-19 school year, BOCES moved out, citing the building’s deteriorating conditions.

In 2020, the school district proposed borrowing $7.9 million to demolish the building and construct a field house and multi-sport athletic field on the site. The proposal was defeated by voters. The building was then closed for general use and the gym was only opened for occasional use by sports teams up through the 2022-23 school year.

County Executive Steve Neuhaus signed a resolution passed by the County Legislature authorizing purchase of the building by the county.

“First and foremost, we must stabilize the property,” stated Neuhaus. “After securing the property, developing a phased plan for renovating and upgrading the building will be the priority.”

While some asbestos mitigation was conducted previously, portions of the building still have asbestos and would need to be cleaned up before being used.

Back in May when the school district’s budget came up for a vote the ballot included a referendum on whether the school district could transfer the building to the county. The referendum was approved. The school district will be keeping the gymnasium and athletic fields that are on the property.

“We have worked diligently on the future of the Maple Avenue building for many years, so we are pleased to bring this property transfer to the community for a decision,” School Superintendent Catherine O’Hara said at the time of the referendum. “We value the community’s voice and interest in repurposing the facility and we appreciate County Executive Neuhaus and Orange County for collaborating with the district to assume ownership and revitalize the building. This initiative holds promise in fostering positive opportunities for Chester’s future.”

Neuhaus said, “This is the recipe for a success story in the county and we are going to get to work on this project to make it something very beneficial to county residents. I look forward to working to create a future for this beautiful building that will shape and enrich our community for years to come.”

Neuhaus also quoted the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as saying, “We shape our buildings; thereafter, our buildings shape us.”

One of the ideas being floated is to redeveloping the building into a high-tech workforce training facility and provide some space for municipal use.