Committee ponders M.D. Shannon's fate

CENTERVILLE — The fate of M.D. Shannon Elementary is up in the air after the St. Mary School Board’s District III Maintenance Committee discussed possible renovation and demolition of the school.
Merlin Lirette, architect of The Merlin Group, presented the renovation analysis of the school to the District III Maintenance Committee during a special meeting held Wednesday at the St. Mary School Board Office.
The school’s projected renovation cost is $7.9 million, but the value of the property was only appraised for $875,000 with the land costing $575,000 and the building costing $300,000. Proposed renovations include replacing the interior and exterior stairs, making the building handicap-accessible, updating electrical systems, adding a sprinkler system, updating hurricane-rated doors, and improving windows, plumbing, and roofing.
The building was first appraised when Shannon first closed its door in 2016 due to a decrease in enrollment. The school board still remains responsible for the upkeep of the building.
“We still perform safety checks, maintain the electricity, gas, air conditioning, yard work,” said Leonard Armato, superintendent of St. Mary Parish School Board.
The gymnasium of the building is still being utilized for the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, other community events and the Morgan City Recreation Department’s summer camp.
The Cook, Moore, Davenport & Associates firm said in the appraisal report for Shannon Elementary that “it is not financially feasible to renovate the subject property at this time. The subject (property) could be converted for alternate usage such as a community facility, church, office, assisted living, and others.”
Lirette said, “I could not stand here and recommend you use that building knowing what I know about it. “If it goes up, it’s going to go up quick in fire. This building is wood so if it catches on …,” said Lirette.
Lirette estimated that to demolish the school would cost between $350,000 and $500,000.
Committee Chairman Roland Verret said the committee will have a lot of discussion before it presents recommendations to the board.
“The board has to continue to maintain the school until the board makes a decision in which we are nowhere near any time soon,” said Armato.
M.D. Shannon Elementary was built in 1906. Additional buildings were added in the 1940s.