COLUSA, CA (MPG) – A packed room at the April 20 Colusa Unified School District board meeting made one message clear. Many residents oppose plans that could lead to demolition of the former Colusa Union High School building.
The district is weighing options for the aging structure at 745 10th St., including rehabilitation, repurposing, sale or demolition. The building, constructed in 1926, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places after its 1976 designation.
Tension in the room reflected concern over both the process and the potential loss of a historic landmark.
Several community members said they were not aware the building’s future was under discussion. Board members responded that multiple workshops had been held, but acknowledged outreach may not have reached a wide audience.
The district first reviewed options during a Feb. 9 presentation from real estate consultant Landis Graden of DCG Strategies. The analysis outlined cost and feasibility for each path, including rehabilitation, new construction or relocation of administrative offices.
Preliminary estimates in that report placed rehabilitation costs at about $25 million, compared to roughly $6 million to construct a new facility.
Public comment focused largely on preserving the building.
Mark Tomey, a Colusa resident, urged the board to pause any decision.
“I stand before you not just as a community member, but as someone who deeply values the history, identity and character of Colusa,” Tomey said. “The Colusa High School building is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a living piece of our community’s story.”
Tomey acknowledged the district’s financial and safety challenges but asked officials to consider alternatives.
“Please pause. Please explore every available alternative. Please partner with the community before making any decision that cannot be undone,” he said.
Jay D. Garr, who graduated from the school in 1956, also spoke in favor of preservation.
“I would love to see this building preserved,” Garr said. “People come to Colusa on Highway 20. The first building they see is this.”
Don Brandsford, a former school board member, said the issue reflects a difficult balance between preserving history and funding education.
“This school board is tasked with educating children,” Brandsford said. “As this building gets older and older, how many dollars do you want to spend to keep this building up and take away from the children?”
Brandsford said community members will need to organize if they want to save the building.
“If we want to save this building, then we’re going to have to do it,” he said.
Jim White, a member of the Heritage Preservation Commission, also urged the district to consider alternatives and seek funding.
“This place is certainly one of the anchors of this city,” White said. “It would be a real shame if it came down.”
White said preservation advocates plan to discuss the issue at an upcoming commission meeting and explore grant opportunities.
According to its historic registry nomination, the building is a Mediterranean Revival structure and one of the few intact pre-Field Act schools of its kind in California. It has served generations of students and stands along Highway 20 as a prominent entry point into the city.
The district has not made a final decision. The board is expected to revisit the issue at its May 18 meeting at 5:15 p.m. in the district conference room.