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Posted: February 4, 2005
This was a building that once heard the sweet notes of a choir wafting down
the hallway. A building that was once festooned with garlands and balloons
heralding a senior dance. A building that resonated to the sounds of drums
and horns as a marching band practiced for the big game and shook to the
thunderous applause signaling the end of a Shakespearean play. This was a
building at the height of its glory in 1945.
They say “everything old becomes new again,” and a historic building at 1517
Avenue H will become the personification of those words when late 2005 sees
the refurbished “Plano Public School” building once again resounding with
music, dance and theatre.
In a construction commencement ceremony held February 2, Plano Mayor Pat
Evans was joined by Superintendent of Plano Independent School District Doug
Otto and other dignitaries armed with hammers, to officially set off a major
renovation and reuse of the facility.
Originally the site of the oldest public structure in Plano and the site of
a Plano school since 1882, the Cox Annex Building, named after devoted
janitor Ernest Cox in 1961, opened as the Plano Public School in 1926.
“Although history is vitally important, the future use of this building is
equally as exciting,” said Plano’s City Manager Tom Muehlenbeck, after
detailing the facility’s historic roots.
“Two of the greatest needs of our local performing and visual arts groups
are space for instructional programs and space for rehearsals and large
meetings,” Mayor Pat Evans told the assembly. “There will be 700 square
feet of classrooms, storage and work space for public art and the Municipal
Exhibits Program. The largest space on the first floor will include a
2,000 square foot rehearsal room or performing space.”
The rehearsal room and other first floor amenities will add much needed
space to supplement the activities of the City’s adjacent 326-seat Courtyard
Theater, the school’s old gymnasium, renovated in 2002. The Theater has
already solidified itself as a cultural mainstay in the community.
For several years the Cox Building has housed School District administrative
offices. Now, in a partnership with the City, the second and third floors
will remain with the District for operational functions, with the City’s
Creative Arts Department relocating into the first floor area.
“I’m so pleased to know that we will be continuing to plan and execute the
business of the District’s future in the same space where much of the past
planning that established our reputation as an education leader happened,”
said Plano Independent School District (PISD) Board President Mary Beth
King. “It’s important to note there will be an artifact and archival room
dedicated to preserving the rich history of this building.”
“This building has been such a magnificent work of art in our community
since the 1920’s,” said PISD Superintendent of Schools Doug Otto. “It’s just
wonderful that this is going to continue to be that jewel we have in the
Downtown area to remind everyone who went through this School District and
graduated from this high school how important this building still remains to
us, and to them.”
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