TROY, AL (WDNews) — On July 6, the City of Troy commemorated the historic reopening of the Academy Street High School, which was formerly a pillar of the Black community in the city. This event marked the conclusion of a significant reconstruction effort.
Originally constructed in 1946, the brick school building housed African American pupils until integration forced its closure in 1970. Over 40 years had passed since it was last utilized. Constructed in the 1920s, the original wooden structure was destroyed by fire in the 1940s.
The ribbon-cutting was attended by numerous Academy Street alumni, local politicians, and residents in a crowded auditorium. With the help of a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant, the project was officially launched in 2018 after more than ten years of planning, according to Troy Mayor Jason Reeves.
Reeves stated that while today is about the past, it is also about the future. We want young people to be able to learn and grow in this building.
Six classrooms, the theater, the foyer, the kitchen, and the restrooms were all updated throughout the refurbishment. Memorabilia from the school, such as pictures and the court order that forced its closure, are currently on exhibit in one room.
The proposal, according to Councilwoman Wanda Moultry, celebrates the community’s past while making room for future generations.
According to Moultry, this skyscraper will serve as a beacon for the neighborhood.
A member of the school’s reunion committee, Henry Lewis Gillis, expressed gratitude to the city and urged additional upgrades, such as renovations to the outdoor spaces and gym.
Gillis described this building as a jewel. It can serve as a resource for job training, tutoring, and other purposes if used properly.
Plans for the building’s long-term usage, such as workforce development and educational initiatives, will be revealed later this month, according to Mayor Reeves.
