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Our initial organizational meeting was held in 1996 with the purpose of surveying community interest in “saving” the historic Apollo School. At that time the privately owned land/building was not for sale. Interested community leaders and others continued to meet to develop community awareness and to initiate discussion with the owners regarding potential donation or sale of the land. When the land was finally listed for sale in July 1998, this group began a more aggressive approach with the owners and began regular community meetings.
In November 1998, two of the founding members attended a Historic School Reuse Workshop conducted by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in Orlando with the purpose of (1) getting ideas for uses of the Apollo School, and (2) begin an association with the Trust.
An extensive research and rehabilitation plan for the schoolhouse was completed on April 28, 1998, by Indian River Community College. This included historical research, architectural drawings, a feasibility study, plan of recommendations, and public review meetings.
Early in 1999, a tour of the facility by founding committee and state officials was conducted to inspect the building and make preliminary determination of restoration feasibility. Two members of our committee had office visit meetings with Florida Trust for Historic Preservation staff and state officials regarding rehabilitation of the building, possibility of state grant dollars, and listing the school on the historical buildings register.
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