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Heights Alumni Foundation Continues Work to Save Clock Tower

Bad economy hampering effort to raise money to restore the clock tower on Heights High

The Cleveland Heights High School Alumni Foundation is still working to raise money to restore the school’s aging clock tower, three years after its effort began.  

Foundation president Eric Silverman declined to say how much more money the group needs to raise to reach its $400,000 goal, but he said the poor economy is hurting the efforts.

“It's definitely depressed our donations,’’ said Silverman, a 1987 grad. 

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He said one graduate, whom he declined to name, has pledged to match a donation of $50,000, but the group has yet to raise that money. He said the school district has said it will put $150,000 from its capital fund toward the project.

But that pledge was made under the previous superintendent. Current Superintendent Douglas Heuer said through spokeswoman Angee Shaker that the project must be reviewed.

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“The repair of the clock tower is not imminent,’’ Heuer said. “The status will depend largely on the priority it is allocated within the comprehensive .’’ 

The district will soon meet with architectural firms and take bids for plans that could call for renovating and rebuilding all schools in the district, and Heuer said the plans will be presented to the Board of Education for approval next March.  

The clock tower, which is located in the courtyard and is largely obscured by the science wing now, is part of the original building built in 1926. Silverman said the tower needs to be stripped to its original steel structure, repaired and restored. A drainage system must be installed to keep water from damaging the tower. 

“When you see it from 500 yards away, you can't really tell (it needs repaired),’’ he said.  “When you're standing at the base of it, it's like: ‘Oh my God, this thing looks dreadful.’’’

The project repair requires elaborate scaffolding that makes it more expensive. Another obstacle is that the original blueprints have been lost.

The group’s fundraising effort had unfortunate timing — it kicked off just as the housing market tanked and the recession hit. 

It also is under way as the city from taxpayers this November. 

Silverman remains optimistic.

“We'll be very excited if we can match that $50,000 pledge,” he said.

For more information, visit www.heightsalumni.org and click on “Save the Clock Tower.”

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