What Is On Mike Rhyner's Mind Today? Schutze's Column on Adamson High School.

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Dec. 3 2009 at 6:20 PM

Categories: Schutze

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If you, like Mike Rhyner, are interested in the historic significance of this Oak Cliff landmark, all ya gotta do is click this.

Earlier today on The Ticket, Hardline host Mike Rhyner brought up two of our favorite subjects: Dallas's demolition of what little history it has left (especially downtown) and our "well-known city muckraker," who, last week, wrote about the Dallas Independent School District's plans to tear down Adamson High School and replace it with a new building. The great Michael Gruber was kind enough to provide us with the audio, which I completely missed since I was probably on the phone with some Dallas Morning News executive. It's right ... here.

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Dane, shut up bitch!
They're a bit off with information cited. Only three teens high school buildings remain--Adamson & Madison (1916), and the old Crozier Tech (Dallas High School), which DISD no longer owns. The others mentioned were built in the 20's and 30's.
Nevertheless, all the Dallas high school alumni associations are joining forces. There have already been a couple of meetings - these actions only galvanize and energize our resolve.
Robert, Thanks for posting this because I was unaware that The Ticket had discussed this issue. I usually listen to those guys on my way home but I obviously can't listen to the entire show. Unfortunately, they were given a false impression by Jim's article. There are NO plans to tear down Adamson High School. None. There are, however, plans to build a replacement school on property adjacent to the current campus. The current campus will remain standing and will be re-purposed. There has been structural movement under the existing building since it was initially constructed in 1915. Several attempts have been made to mitigate this but the soil continues to cause shifting. That doesn't mean the building isn't safe; it simply means that, despite anyone's best efforts, structural movement has caused and will continue to cause cracking both internally and externally. After meeting with the Alumni Association, the district hired and directed noted historical architects Corgan Associates to come up with options. After reviewing, Corgan presented two options: 1) stabilize and salvage the existing facade and build a new school behind it or 2) reconstruct the original 1915 building and 1930's addition using the existing bricks and materials to create a historically accurate representation of the building as close to the original design as possible. The problem with the first option, according to Corgan, was that it was structurally and constructively an "extraordinary, risky effort." Corgan was concerned that, during construction, portions of the facade could collapse. This would obviously drive up costs and the amount of time necessary to complete the project. As a result, Corgan recommended option #2. The second option, which seemed to be the most reasonable, was rejected by the Alumni Association. Their movement to protect the building by beginning the process to have it designated as a historical landmark pressed the district to go with a third option: build a new campus in the same area and leave the existing building to be used for another purpose, which has yet to be determined. Again, there are no plans to tear down Adamson High School.
@Dane... Based on the ratings... they really miss you.
Just another column bought and paid for by Home Depot, obviously.
Rhyner's dead.
Every since the Hardline became "Corby & The Old Guy", I traded in my "P1, day one" for an "S1", as in Sirius. Haven't bothered to listen since, and took my advertising support with it.
I listened to this and I have to ask: What the hell makes Corby Davidson an expert on anything? It appears outwardly he has little scene control of his own, save over his small circle of ever-advancing in age hipster friends, hence why he hijacks the conversation accordingly. On the DISD: Like any other organization with the word "Dallas" in its title, it lacks the intelligence and forethough when it comes to preservation. I haven't expected much out of the Hino era at DISD and I haven't been proven wrong yet...
Heywood U. Buzzoff--Hey would you buzz off and get a life? The Ticket is a pile of crap:( The Bradster
Wow The Hardline is breaking down historic preservation for us. Is there anything the Hardline can't do? I think not. Gordon Keith sounds like a genius compared to the Hardline 'tards.
Mike had an interesting take on the subject. At least he appeared to in the part I listened to. Sadly, once Corby hijacked the conversation, it was impossible to continue to listen without ramming my fist through my monitor. Once again, the worlds foremost expert on every subject has run me away from Ticket content. What a d bag!
@anonymous - you have nailed how Dallas works
DISD will spare no expense when it comes to making sure that Dallas Achieves people profit from district funds (supplied by you and me, the lowly taxpayers). Adamson won't survive the wrecking ball because, apparently, no one influential in the city owns a business that preserves historical buildings. Just wait and see who they hire to build the new "Adamson" high school. I'll bet you money, marbles, and chalk the new builders are either members of Dallas Achieves, the Dallas Citizen's Council, or somehow linked to them. And within a couple of years, the "new" roof will cave in or the heat/AC will keep kids freezing in the summer and broiling in the winter. In the meantime, just shut up and pay up when it comes to DISD taxes.
Well-known? Y'all speaking biblically!?!?!