Community, county partner to restore school


By Ben Johnson
North Fulton Neighbor Staff Writer                              Next Article 
November 20, 2002 
 
Last week, bulldozers razed an eyesore in North Fulton to reveal a historic structure.

The Fulton County Parks and Recreation Department leveled the badly deteriorated 1950s addition to the Newtown School on Old Alabama Road, sparing the school’s original 1930s section.

The Newtown Park Community Foundation has taken an interest in preserving and restoring the school, Newtown community’s oldest public building.

“From a community standpoint, we are going from trash to treasure. There aren’t many old buildings in Newtown,” said Lynn Pennington, president of the foundation.

Ms. Pennington said the organization, comprised of local residents, intends to raise funds to convert the 6,000 square-foot building into a community activities center.

The school property, owned by Fulton County, is part of the existing 50-acre Newtown Park near the intersection of Old Alabama and Haynes Bridge roads in Alpharetta.

“North Fulton has 40 percent of the park land and 63 percent of the population [of unincorporated Fulton County],” Ms. Pennington said.

Foundation member Lisa Hunsaker said the group needs to raise about $2 million for asbestos abatement, renovations, landscaping and parking to complete the project.

Fulton County Commission member Bob Fulton said forming the Newtown Park Community Foundation allows the group to apply for grants and receive donations as a non-profit organization.

“I think Fulton County will help some in a variety of ways. This is a piece of county land and the county has some responsibility to participate,” Fulton said.

The commissioner said the county developed Newtown Park for $4 million four years ago, but those funds went toward constructing the park rather than renovating the school.
 
“At this point, the county has not promised any money for renovations. It may take a few years, but we will raise the money,” Ms. Hunsaker said.

She said the foundation will seek state and county grant money, corporate sponsors and funds from local residents, in addition to yearly fundraising events.

November 20, 2002        The North Fulton Neighbor