OLD SCHOOLS: FIND GOOD USE OR TEAR 'EM DOWN

There appears to be some interest among prospective buyers in two elementary school buildings that will soon be vacated by the Cape Girardeau School District. Both May Greene Elementary School and Washington Elementary School will no longer be needed for classes after the new Blanchard Elementary School opens sometime later this year.

The interest from potential buyers is a good sign. If a deal can be struck to sell the school buildings in the next two months, as the Board of Education hopes, there is every indication that the buildings would be put to some use rather than standing empty to decay and become community problems.

Cape Girardeau already has a pair of albatross buildings: the building that once housed St. Francis Hospital and the old Marquette Hotel. Right now, the city is faced with spending about half a million dollars to tear down each of those buildings, which have become eyesores as well as sore spots for those who would like to see them razed.

As it stands now, the Board of Education is prepared to sell the May Greene and Washington buildings, but it wants to hear from prospective buyers how the buildings would be used. Those interested in purchasing either of the buildings will have an opportunity to outline their plans when the board meets Sept. 20.

So far, Southeast Missouri State University is the only potential buyer that has expressed an interest in the Washington building. School officials say the old school, built in 1914, could be used for storage.

Some community groups, including those that would offer outreach and social services, have expressed an interest in the May Greene building, built in 1919, although no bid has been made by anyone.

Both of the buildings, as could be expected, would require considerable renovation before they could be put to any public use. They need extensive repairs, school officials say, and electrical upgrades would be necessary to accommodate up-to-date heating and air-conditioning systems.

If the school district is unable to sell the buildings, what should it do? One possibility is to have the buildings razed -- at no small cost, which would at least make the vacant land more marketable.

Let's hope Cape Girardeau isn't about to inherit two more white elephants.