The Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center is a prominent

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S u c c e s s S t o r i e s HISTORIC SCHOOLS Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center Minneapolis, Minnesota The Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center is a prominent building in the Prospect Park community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school however stood vacant since the early 1980 9s, and was slated for demolition. A group of local activists recognized the school 9s importance and persuaded the School Board to undertake reinvestment initiatives.

As a result, the Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center once again plays an integral part in the community. The Sidney Pratt School was built in 1898, with additions made in 1906 and again in 1926. The school was closed in 1982 as part of a system-wide restructuring of Minneapolis 9 schools.

At this closing, Pratt was the oldest building in the system and was a candidate for demolition and site divestiture. A group of local activists formed the nonprofit Pratt Council, which ultimately partnered with the City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program to pursue rehab of the school. Eighteen years after the school closed, and following the addition of an elevator, roof and window replacement, a cleaned building envelope and newly ... more. less.

paved parking lot, the surrounding neighborhood of Prospect Park regained its public school. Today, Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center serves a socio-economically diverse neighborhood, which includes public housing as well as faculty and staff members of the University of Minnesota. The City of Minneapolis has undertaken a mission to retain city residency and promote urban living via the preservation and modernization of historic neighborhood schools. The renovation of the Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center has prompted a significant increase in Prospect Park real estate and provides the neighborhood with a state-of-the-art educational facility. For more information about the National Trust 9s historic neighborhood schools initiative, contact: Western Office ( AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA): Mike Buhler, 415-956-0610 Mountains/Plains Office (CO, KS, MT, NE, ND, SD, UT, WY): John Mitterholzer, 303-623-1504 Midwest Office (IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI): Royce Yeater, 312-939-5547 Southwest Office (AR, NM, OK, TX): Megan Brown, 817-332-4398 Southern Office (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI): Mary Ruffin Hanbury, 843-722-8552 Southern Field Office (DC, MD, VA, WV): Rob Nieweg, 202-588-6107 Northeast Field Office (DE, NJ, PA): Adrian Fine, 215-848-8033 Northeast Office (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT): Marilyn Fenollosa, 617-523-0885 2 Historic Schools Success Stories School Administrators Ms. Ellen Murphey Pratt Council Principal 66 Malcolm Avenue, S.E. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 612.668.1210 612.668.1110 (fax) ellen.murphey@mpls.k12.mn.us Mr. Bruce Graff Pratt Council Building Director 66 Malcolm Avenue, S.E. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 612.668.1122 612.668.1110 (fax) bgraff@mpls.k12.mn.us No website available Ms. Mary Alice Kopf Pratt Council President 66 Malcolm Avenue, S.E. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 612.379.7436 612.668.1110 (fax) mollisk@earthlink.com No website available Description of Project Project Address: 66 Malcolm Avenue, S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 Status: Local, state, national designation: While the school does not have historic designation status, an adjacent water tower was deemed a historic landmark. Architect: The school 9s architect, Mr. Lambureaux, was the French son-in-law of the Town 9s Mayor/Superintendent at the time of the building 9s construction. Date of construction: The school 9s construction in 1898 was prompted by neighborhood residents, who were concerned for the safety of children travelling nearly a mile to the closest school (Motley School). Date of renovation: The school reopened in the Fall of 2000. Date of previous renovation: Six additional classrooms were added in 1906. In 1926, a three-story structure was added to the north side of Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center Use (The school is exclusively for kindergarten, first and second grade students. A third grade level will be added soon.) Size: Approximately 40,000-50,000 square feet (57 students) Student/teacher ratio: 10:1 Alternative uses: The school provides Adult Basic Education classes, including English as a Second Language. The school also serves as a venue for community activities, including a youth center, senior programs, block nurse programs, early childhood family education, Americorps and community council meetings. Location Historic district: The Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center is located in Prospect Park, one of the oldest residential communities in Minneapolis. This middle class neighborhood is located at the geographic center of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Prospect Park East River Road Improvement Association is in the process of seeking historic neighborhood designation status. Walking distance: Bussing vs. walking: While most students walk to school, inclement weather is an impediment. The number of students that walk rather than rely on bus transportation is growing significantly. Cost Total renovation cost: Approximately $1.2 million. Per square feet: Approximately $26.66 Per student: Approximately $21,052.00 Source of funding Local: The City of Minneapolis funded a Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP), which paid for a portion of the rehabilitation work. This unique funding program provides greater financial assistance to less stable neighborhoods. In this case, the Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center will receive $3.5 million over a five-year period. State: A portion of state taxes help fund the NRP. Federal: No Private: Private fundraising from businesses and private citizens also helped pay for the rehabilitation effort. Tax credits: No Cost estimates for new school construction: Information not available. Problems and/or Threats Close the school building: Following a broad restructuring of the City 9s school buildings, The Sidney Pratt School was closed in 1982. At this time, the community center remained open to the public, however since it was the oldest building in the school system, it became a candidate for demolition. Raze existing building in order to build a new facility: See above. Policies promoting the construction of school sprawl in outlying areas: The School District utilizes population growth patterns in determining the location of new public school buildings. Budget and enrollment issues are instrumental in closing historic neighborhood schools. Acreage standards: No State funding biases: No Inadequate government funding: No Acceptance of donated sites for new school construction: No Inflated school renovation cost estimates: Poor or bad renovation job: No Resolution Strategies or state/local polices utilized to achieve success story: Pratt Council, a nonprofit corporation comprised of local activists, were instrumental in generating community support, which ultimately persuaded the School District to preserve the old school building, a process that took five years. Renovation Success Undertakings The rehabilitation initiative included refurbishing the building 9s exterior, replacing the roof and windows and building a new performance amphitheater. Historic features, such as an Art Deco style tiled drinking fountain, were preserved. Classroom size and circulation: In order to accommodate a new elevator, several classrooms were reconfigured. State-of-the-art facility: The school has wiring for state-of-the-art computer systems. Contact Information & Project Details 3 Historic Schools Success Stories Computer technology: Each classroom has a computer with Internet and e-mail access. The computer lab has between 25 and 30 computers. Meets education programmatic needs: Yes Building codes: Up-to-code Life safety codes Asbestos: In 1995, all existing asbestos was removed from the building. Fire safety: A new sprinkler system was added in the building 9s attic. Air quality: Up-to-code Handicapped accessibility: A new elevator was installed to the building. Parking: The school has a newly paved parking lot. Portions of existing asphalt were removed in order to build a garden. Playing fields: An existing parking lot was transformed into a park and playground. The cVillage Green Park d is located adjacent to the school. Awards Granted Achievements/Recognition: The school received a Neighborhood Revitalization Program Award from the Heritage Preservation Commission and the Minneapolis Chapter of American Institute of Architects. Future Endeavors Maintenance plans: The school will eventually add a fourth and fifth grade level. Maintenance funding: Information not available Description of Outcome Community Response Neighborhood stability: The diverse community surrounding the school described the project as a clabor of love. d Safety: Not an issue. Community reinvestment: The City has undertaken a mission to retain city residency and promote urban living via the preservation and modernization of historic neighborhood schools. The renovation of the Sidney Pratt School and Community Education Center has prompted a significant increase in Prospect Park real estate. Economic growth: No Community Benefits Students: Following the renovation initiative, the school 9s atmosphere has enhanced. Increased academic achievement: No information available. Independence: No Teachers: The faculty members have responded in a very positive way. Parents: Parents of Sidney Pratt School students are very supportive of the school and volunteer with lunch and recess activities. Quotes cResidents of the neighborhood . . . worked hard and turned it into a community education and activity center that served as a focal point for this increasingly diverse and isolated neighborhood. d 4Robert D. Miller, Director of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization program Before and after: reconfigured entrance for ADA accessibility

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