Summary of Commodore Building Small Group Meetings
The following is an overview of comments made by approximately 200 people who attended 20 Commodore small group meetings/ coffees September 20–October 15.
Summary
Many participants expressed confusion about their role or lack of role in the process of determining the fate of the Commodore. Some questioned why the board had already voted not to use the building as a school and why the options presented at the meeting did not include re-opening the Commodore as a school. Most people, however, did not seem rigidly committed to a particular course of action regarding the site. Many welcomed the opportunity to contribute their opinions but seemed skeptical that a viable plan that incorporated their opinions would emerge. While some people were quick to suggest razing or selling the site, many more people appeared to prefer that the Commodore be used as a school. The emotional tenor of several meetings was to “Save the Commodore,” not just as a building but as an educational facility. On the other hand, many were open to entertaining a host of other possible uses of the site (albeit no single idea was fleshed out in much detail). No one appeared to have a strikingly clear vision or plan for the property.
The overwhelming consensus of participants at all the meetings: Whether used as a school or a not-for-profit community center or developed as a park or, as a last resort, as a commercial and/or retail development, the Commodore site should retain an aesthetically pleasing appearance and some architectural and historical integrity, as well as blend in with the landscape of historic downtown Perrysburg.
Ideas about the Commodore
As stated earlier, there was a sentimental feeling on the part of many people that the Commodore should be used as a school; a sixth grade or fifth-sixth grade building, a second 6-8 school, or a preschool-kindergarten school were mentioned as possible grade configurations. Opinions ranged from “I’ve been to the Commodore and a coat of paint would fix it,” to “I cried all night when told the building would be sold” to a teacher’s appreciation for the large classroom sizes in the oldest part of the structure.
Individuals cited the state-of-art science wing, the Beck Auditorium, the cafeteria and gymnasium as most worth saving. There was considerable confusion as to exactly how deteriorated the buildings were, and how they had reached that state. Some people were angry that the buildings had fallen into a state of disrepair. Many people were confused as to whether the school district could specify uses for the property while trying to sell it, or whether the city could intervene to help save the buildings. The idea of a Joint Recreation District and/or seeking grants to fund a Common Space type facility came up repeatedly. Quite a few people strongly suggested that a private developer or a group of non-profits utilizing the building should save the auditorium, the gym, the cafeteria, and the science wing (in that order of importance). A smaller number of participants expressed concern that the school system would “reverse its decision” and pour too much money into trying to save the buildings. Several people wondered where the administrative offices would be located and whether taxpayers would be asked to build a facility for that purpose.
These alternative uses for the Commodore property were mentioned by one or more than one individuals: a senior center to replace the “too small” one on West Indiana Avenue; a charter school; a history museum; an art center; a childcare center; an adult education facility; a park; a recreation center; a condo development; a childcare facility for district personnel; skate park with tennis courts; a parking garage; city offices; a teen center like the old “Bee Hive”; “anything but not a drug rehab.”
The following groups were mentioned as possibly taking an interest in using the Commodore building: the 577 Foundation, the Wood County Park District, Way Public Library, St. Rose, Dillin Development, Perrysburg School of Music, Toledo Museum of Art; City of Perrysburg; Owens-Illinois, the YMCA, or colleges such as Ohio State University, Bowling Green, Heidelberg or Stautzenberger. One person suggested that the city or the library use the auditorium to show movies. Another suggested contacting Restore America from HGTV “to see if they would take on a project like this.” At least two people suggested holding a contest on how to use the Commodore.
Many people cited exemplary projects as possible models: Common Space; the Martin School in Toledo; the Monclova Community Center; the Maumee Schools/ City of Maumee arts center partnership; the Sylvania Joint Recreation District; the Hudson, Ohio, retirement/ community center; Towpath Village; old shops and restaurants in Frankenmuth; Nazareth Hall; Fort Industry Square; a school building/ retail strip on Secor Road in Michigan; shopping/ restaurant areas in Temperance and Lambertville; the renovation of old schools in Maumee (Union School) and Bowling Green.
