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Alpine Community Projects reports volunteer blitz, preservation workshop and concerns about rear building at old schoolhouse
Summary
Alpine Community Projects detailed its volunteer‑led front‑yard beautification of the old schoolhouse, a masonry preservation workshop planned with an Alamo preservationist, and concerns about a back building with asbestos and stored material; group seeks permission to host events and potentially expand permitted use of the facility.
Kirsten Moody of Alpine Community Projects updated council Oct. 29 on the nonprofit’s year of activity at the old schoolhouse, which the city has made available to the organization for a nominal rent. The group’s primary work has been front‑yard beautification, using city mulch and community volunteer days; Sul Ross State University students provided a large volunteer contingent on Nov. 4.
Preservation and future use: Alpine Community Projects has planned a masonry preservation workshop led by a preservation expert who has worked on the Alamo; the workshop will demonstrate appropriate cleaning and repair methods for historic brick and discourage damaging treatments such as elastomeric coatings or abrasive power washing. The group said it will host the workshop with public outreach (tacos/coffee) and might return to council if volunteers offer to carry out exterior brick work.
Access and unused back building: Moody raised concerns about a rear portion of the property that the nonprofit’s agreement excluded; the back building reportedly contains stored records, medical equipment and items dating to the 1970s and may contain asbestos. Moody requested staff guidance on potential safe access for salvaging usable equipment (walkers, beds) and suggested the organization would welcome access to a larger meeting room/cafeteria within the property if permitted under contract or by direct council/staff action.
Requests and next steps: The nonprofit asked council and staff to clarify whether permanent painted sidewalk games would be allowed and whether a future parks and recreation administrator could be permitted to use office space within the location. Council members indicated staff could handle sidewalk paint approvals administratively and asked Moody to coordinate with staff on access questions; the organization will continue its volunteer and preservation activities and return with any formal requests.
