Town Leaders: Don't Demolish Historic School

The Town of Upper Marlboro Board of Commissioners has written a letter to Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III requesting a "thorough review" into the county's along Elm Street in Upper Marlboro.

In a Dec. 14 letter, President Stephen F. Sonnett and Commissioners Joseph A. Hourcle and James Storey requested "no further action be taken toward the demolition" of the school, as it would have an impact on the town.

According to the Town of Upper Marlboro, developer Alt Breeding Schwarz plans to build a Family Justice Center on the school site. While that plan is "worthwhile," commissioners wrote, the land is "neither close to population centers, nor major transportation hubs."

"Public transportation to the town is limited," they stated.

The commissioners also wrote that the school cannot be demolished because it's listed on the historic registry. Exterior changes can't be made to historic sites until permission is granted by the Park and Planning Commission. 

"For some unexplainable reason, the county planned this project without being aware that the [school] is a ... historic site," the letter said. "Despite its new found knowledge, the county appears to be proceeding with its original plan to demolish the building. The county also appears not to take seriously its obligation to find ways to save this building through adaptive reuse."

The commissioners concluded by requesting a meeting with county officials.