Historic Crafton Elementary School Threatened with Closure

PHLF News
January 28, 2011

In 2010, the Carlynton School District conducted a district-wide facilities-use study on renovating or replacing its two elementary schools: the Carnegie Elementary School and the Crafton Elementary School.

The Crafton Elementary School, built in 1913 and designed by architect Press C. Dowler, is a handsome Tudor-style building located at 1874 Crafton Blvd, a lovely residential neighborhood of Crafton Borough.  The school is threatened with closure and ultimate abandonment in one of the options being considered.

Included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Architectural Survey of Historic Resources, the building has served as a community focal point for nearly a century and was one of the deciding criteria in selecting Crafton as the best place to raise children in Pennsylvania by Bloomberg BusinessWeek.  The Crafton Elementary School is made of hand-burned brick laid in Flemish bond and has two projecting bays with crenelated tower projections, giving the building a stately appearance.

Crafton Councilwoman April Weitzel called the building a “gem of the community that has served and will continue to serve the citizens of Crafton and Carnegie.”   Councilwoman Weitzel is convinced that renovating the school will be less expensive, resulting in no tax increases for the district.  She further stated that “maintaining our neighborhood schools instead of abandoning them helps stabilize property values and encourages others to move into Carnegie and Crafton.”

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation would like to see this building continue being used as a school and has expressed its concern about possible closure of this important community asset.  Renovation of historic schools is often less expensive than new construction. Restoration supports “green” policy and helps stabilize historic neighborhoods.  This issue is scheduled to be discussed at the next School Board meeting.   Comments can be sent to:

Carlynton School District
435 Kings Highway
Carnegie PA 15106
Click for Map

Board Meeting:  Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria
and
Board Meeting:  Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria