Pontiac Central High School: Retaining Relevance Through Re-Use

Abstract

Over the last 15-20 years our major cities, and to a degree, our suburbs, have faced the closure and loss of many of their school buildings due to declining school-age population and other factors. These buildings serve as anchors to their communities and neighborhoods, and their loss of use, and of substance upon demolition, can further drive the deterioration of those communities and neighborhoods. Returning these buildings to productive community use through programming new functions, while still incorporating some form of educational focus, can allow these otherwise unused and unappreciated places to regain relevance in their community.