About
A few years ago, Howardville was devastated by an ice storm. During this time, community leaders realized there was nowhere to house residents if another emergency occurred. Vannessa Frazier, Executive Director of the Howardville Community Betterment, proposed a solution to this problem: redevelop the old school in Howardville into a community center.
The school was built in 1958, but has been abandoned for decades. Contaminated with mold, asbestos, and lead-based paint, the complete redevelopment of this school is an immense undertaking. While this project has been on the community agenda since 1992, the recent ice storm has escalated the importance of this future community center.
The Howardville Community Betterment, working with the members of the Howardville Hawks Alumni, formed the Howardville School Restoration Committee. Bylaws were adopted, officers were selected, and regional contact people from various states were elected to serve as the point of contact to provide information on matters of urgency and updates on the progress of the school.
The Committee has been hard at work gaining outside exposure and obtaining grants. Recently, their hard work has paid off as they received a $200,000 grant from the EPA to restore and redevelop the school. Struggling for exposure, Howardville has newly been listed on Brownfield Listings and featured as a spotlight project on their website. The Committee is amazed at the amount of publicity Howardville has generated since being listed on the site.
The Restoration Committee continues to plan, fundraise, and work hard towards the goal of transforming their abandoned high school into a fully-functioning community center.
The school was built in 1958, but has been abandoned for decades. Contaminated with mold, asbestos, and lead-based paint, the complete redevelopment of this school is an immense undertaking. While this project has been on the community agenda since 1992, the recent ice storm has escalated the importance of this future community center.
The Howardville Community Betterment, working with the members of the Howardville Hawks Alumni, formed the Howardville School Restoration Committee. Bylaws were adopted, officers were selected, and regional contact people from various states were elected to serve as the point of contact to provide information on matters of urgency and updates on the progress of the school.
The Committee has been hard at work gaining outside exposure and obtaining grants. Recently, their hard work has paid off as they received a $200,000 grant from the EPA to restore and redevelop the school. Struggling for exposure, Howardville has newly been listed on Brownfield Listings and featured as a spotlight project on their website. The Committee is amazed at the amount of publicity Howardville has generated since being listed on the site.
The Restoration Committee continues to plan, fundraise, and work hard towards the goal of transforming their abandoned high school into a fully-functioning community center.
Below are pictures of the school:
Fundraising and Volunteer Activities
Community Engagement Resource Roundup
Points of Discussion:
- Howardville School Gym
- Youth from Mississippi County and Howardville – Visioning for reuse of the School
- President of Howardville Community Betterment – Annette Daniel
- Youth visioning session in Howardville Park – Return to Howardville
- Adult and Senior Session – Community Visioning –First Baptist Church of Howardville
- Top 10 choices – (supposed to be)
- Howardville Alumni (Restoration Committee) School memories and Visioning for Restoration – Park
- Pictures taken by Newsletter Committee
Missouri Stream Team
From the Missouri Stream Team website: "Missouri Stream Team is a working partnership of citizens who are concerned about Missouri Streams. The Stream Team Program provides an opportunity for all citizens to get involved in river conservation."
Members from across the state came to Howardville to help with our 3rd annual tire pick up. This colors for this year were blue and pink.
Members from across the state came to Howardville to help with our 3rd annual tire pick up. This colors for this year were blue and pink.