FORREST CITY -- Forrest City in northeastern Arkansas has condemned a former high school that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Forrest City School District has been served with a condemnation notice for the building that was built in 1915, code enforcement officer Connie Muqtasid said.
The roof has collapsed in one part of the building, and the district recently put up fencing around the property to keep people out.
A public hearing on the condemnation notice is scheduled for Nov. 3 before the City Council.
Mayor Larry Bryant said the city had to condemn the building as "a matter of public safety."
"It's a shame that we had to condemn the building, but I hope there is a way that we can at least salvage a portion of the building or some of the historical items that were inside the building because it is a piece of Forrest City's history," Bryant said.
School district Superintendent Tiffany Hardrick told The Times-Herald that officials will continue working to determine what to do with the building.
Hardrick said she plans to ask a construction company official to tour the facility and put forth options to the school district.
"Whether that is renovation or selling the property or the demolition of the property is yet to be seen, but it is a safety issue at this point and something we need to address," Hardrick said.
The building was added to the National Register in 1992. St. Francis County Historical Society president Stuart Towns said he hasn't had any luck in finding funds to save the former school.
"I haven't totally given up on it, but I just don't think there is any funding out there that is going to help save the building," Towns said.
State Desk on 10/08/2015