St. Paul's School could be put to other use
Exterior of St. Paul's School main building in Garden City. Credit: Jim Peppler
Regarding "Last stand for a landmark" [News, April 3], Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks faced the same situation as Garden City: a storied landmark threatened with demolition. Saranac Lake converted the former Will Rogers Institute into a senior living home.
I toured this home a few years ago when my mother was having a difficult time living alone. There is a main dining room where meals are served, also various sitting rooms, game rooms and TV rooms. Every apartment has a kitchen area, with sitting area and bedroom and bath.
They have various support services, including a bus that is paid for monthly by those who want to use it to shop. Some don't need it. Private nurses can be contracted to care for certain people living there, and it allows them to stay independent.
The St. Paul's School in Garden City could be leased to gerontologists with round-the-clock nursing staff. They could set aside areas for yoga, tai chi, art and so on. I'm sure there are many creative people who can come up with related ideas to help the buildings generate income.
It would be a crime to allow this place to be demolished. With their high ceilings and large community rooms, these buildings are beautiful.
Jennifer A. Zahn
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
