By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Scaffolding is in place and ready to proceed with the temporary stabilization plan for the historic Grove Tower in Paris.
Earlier this year, the Henry County Schools board of education unanimously approved the stabilization plan. The stabilization will shore up issues in the building, which was built in 1906. The Romanesque, Classical Revival structure is on the National Register of Historic Places and originally was the home of Grove High School. Grove High closed in 1969 and was replaced with Henry County High School when schools in the county were consolidated.
Renaissance Historic Exteriors performs historic restoration of old buildings and was recommended to the county school officials by the TLM firm.
The school district’s central office staff was ordered to vacate Grove Tower due to structural issues in April. The staff has been operating at the Henry County High School since then.
Director of Schools Dr. Leah Watkins again pointed out that the Tower building “is being maintained so that it doesn’t deteriorate. We continue to watch the building and make sure it is stable.” County Schools’ Maintenance Supervisor Jamie Kemp checks on the building inside and out on a weekly basis, she said.
“This part is the project is stabiliation and a decision still needs to be made of permanent restoration” of the Grove building.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin.