Petition summary and Background:
HISD received voter approval of its 2012 Bond Projects based on a summary of the intended use of the public funds: renovation and transformation of the E.O. Smith Educational Center, 1701 Bringhurst St., including edifices located at 1700 Gregg St. Subsequent HISD review of the allocation of these public funds and the facilities associated therewith, resulted in a determination that additional funds were necessary to modify the campus, which modification and/or original plans include the demolition of the stately structure located at 1700 Gregg St. , the Wheatley/EO Smith Structure. Subsequently, the HISD Board approved funding of the demolition of the structure at 1700 Gregg. In its place, HISD would place an athletic field. This historic, stately structure is the edifice constructed approximately 80 years ago for the education of Negro students attending and who would attend the Phillis Wheatley High School and its successor entities at that location. During its utilization, this building was occupied by tens of thousands of students zoned by HISD to this educational site. This building is one of the most significant historic structures in the City of Houston, in which many local, state and national leaders obtained their public school education as students of Phillis Wheatley High School and E.O. Smith Junior or Middle High School. The Wheatley/Smith edifice is structurally sound and in need of technological, electrical and other operational updates. As was the case of Houston’s City Hall, the Wheatley/EO Smith Structure should be updated and renovated to be allowed to continue the educational purpose for which it was originally constructed.
Action petitioned for by concerned citizens:
WE the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge the SCHOOL BOARD OF THE HISD to rescind its plan to demolish the historic stately educational structure located at 1700 Gregg at Lyons Avenue and to preserve said structure by updating and renovating it so as to continue the educational purpose for which it was originally constructed.
