Sistersville High School building

dangerousdan: I am so glad I am not your wife. Have you ever had a good day? If your comments are so negative, why not get off your behind and run for council, volunteer to make the school better or at least do some research about the things you seem to know so much about.

Alan Robinson, who now works for the AP in Pittsburgh, once did an article on the history of the old gym. You can find it in the History of Sistersville HS. It goes into detail that Sectional and Regional State Tourney games were played there in the 30's and 40's. Jerry West once graced the floor during the old Sistersville Lions basketball tournaments. It was almost condemmed in the late 80's, but the Tyler School Board spent a bundle fixing up the old gal. My greatest memory of the old gal was a February night in 1978 when Richard Summers scored 74 points WITHOUT the aid of a 3 point line. I have watched two old historic buildings become ruins due to the City bungling things up. The old Depot fell into disrepair and had to be torn down. The City tried to make Main Street School a community center until some fumbduck came from Vermont came to town and conned the City out of it. He was going to make it a homeless shelter until he decided to tear the building down brick by bri

I agree with the history, but I'm pretty sure the "on the cheap" is irrelevant. A municipality is using tax/grant monies for everything they do. As a municipality, they are bound to go out for bids on every job they do that their own employees do not complete. Once these bids are received, they are required to hire the lowest bidder. I've lived here my entire life and I don't ever remember it being a show place. I do agree that work needs to be done to preserve it for the youth in Sistersville and, to a lesser degree, the alumni that still participate in the greatest celebration ever!

The old gym was given to the City of Sistersville by the Tyler County Bd of Ed when Sistersville HS was closed. Former Deligate Jimmy Willison was able to obtain a lot of grant money to keep the gym open. A group from Union Carbide came in and remodled all the old class rooms in the old Junior High only for the roof to end up leaking because the City of Sistersville hired a contractor on the cheap to fix the roof. That gym used to be a showplace for the entire Ohio Valley. I just want the powers that be to be held accountable. If the City cannot maintain it, then get rid of it.

I would say you are right, snorks.

Dan, Do you ever have anything remotely constructive to say or are all of your posts so negative? Just wondering because I am new to this board and I would hate to just skip your posts because they lack any substance. What would you have done that no one else seemed to know to do?

I'm sure the water damage is throughout the building. The owners of the other half will probably find they have structural damage as well.

Fox, Ash, and the rest of City Council should be embarrassed for allowing the old gym to fall into disrepair.

The gym would be consided an assembly area and fall under different codes than classrooms or the cafeteria. It may even have a separate "Certificate of Occupancy." This is how schools can still operate when renovating a gym. At least, this has been my experience with building authorities.

Here are a couple more questions: If the gym is closed because of structural damage, wouldn't this also effect the rest of the building? If they condemn one part, wouldn't they have to include the entire structure?

Thanks Outspoken for posing Jean's bio. They are seriously renovating the upstairs for living space, and other rooms will be studio/gallery space. I am sure the exterior will remain the same. It IS a lovely piece of architecture, after all.

I have been out of state since last Summer staying at my daughter's place in Phoenix and helping with their business. I heard the people were dissatisfied and were leaving town in the Spring because the boyfriend wanted not to come to Sistersville. Just a bit of gossip on the rumor mill (emails from those in the 'ville). Anyone know if the place will be renovated or if it will just stay the way it has always been?

I have no problem. I just was curious about the lights on in the school and if there was someone living there or trying to restore the building.

From a thread posted by (SohoEyewear) on topix dot com: Reaching out to area residents for thoughts about the old Sistersville school. As new owners we made the school our home. We are interested to know reactions to it being open to public again. With much repair work to begin in spring..there is time to consider much. My partner of 19 years, is an artist (Albert DeCandia),now happy to have a proper studio for his large works. Naturally we will display his creations...therefor it makes an automatic gallery. You can follow us FB Jean Low, Soho Eyewear and/or Albert DeCandia. Just uploaded posts, so very basic. Share thoughts, stories, looking to also (in future) have school history displayed within school. So photos will be great. Looking to see what biology/science room- lab tables looked like. It will be future kitchen yet want to recreate stations, have table tops is all. Looking forward.

I didn't know anyone was living there. I've seen lights on but didn't realize it was occupied. Are the new owners from out of town? Would be interested in what their plans are exactly. Hope it is succesful and beneficial to our town.

2......what's the problem?