Emotions flare as Conway opts to demolish historic Black Whittemore school gutted by fire

Conway’s historic Whittemore Elementary is facing demolition days after a destructive fire ripped through the segregation-era school, but city leaders hope a reworked preservation plan will honor its legacy.

“It represents the history of a people and an era,” Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy said midway through an emotional two-hour meeting that ended with the city council authorizing removal of the 70-year-old building over public health and safety concerns.

City Manager Adam Emrick told reporters demolition costs weren’t immediately available. Asbestos remediation will take place as the main 38,000-square-foot school is razed — which could happen by later this month.

A smaller 10,000-square-foot site built in 1961 an addition to Whittemore was undamaged by the fire.

Although condemned, the building is used by squatters. Police Chief Dale Long said evidence of human habitation including bedding, food wrappers and fecal matter is strewn throughout.

“As we’ve looked at the condition of the building, that is one reason people have been allowed to be inside, is because of how dangerous it is, and putting officers in that building to do any type of routine foot patrol is extremely dangerous,” he said.

Yet council members also said a bid by Whittemore Racepath Historical Society — which has visions of turning the site into a mixed-use cultural hub - should be considered as part of the 10-acre property’s long-term future.

“We have not been able to successfully secure that building in the last months, years. But I also know there is a group of people who have some hope. And I want to take that into consideration as well,” council member Amanda Butler said.

Whittmore operated as an equalization school from 1953 through 1977 under Horry County’s control. District leaders used it as office space through 2016 when Hurricane Matthew destroyed its roof.

Between 2017 and 2020, Conway leaders hoped Community Development Block Grant aid would contribute to its revitalization but the project was defederalized in 2020.

Whittemore Racepath in August 2021 proposed flipping the 10-acre Whittmore site into a 120-unit housing complex and community center.

The demise of Whittemore’s main building means that concept can’t move forward, but the city council said it supports the historical society’s efforts. A revised conceptual plan could be back in front of them by April.

“It is apparent to the community that this did not have to happen. They are hurt and angry that such such wanton destruction was allowed to occur,” society president Cheryl Adamson said March 13. “We just feel there is a rush that was not there when we wanted things to move speedily, but suddenly there’s a rush to dismantle the entire property, and that is not what we desire.”

Emrick and other city leaders said exposed asbestos and the frequent trespassing attempts make Whittemore a liability.

“My fear is that the seven of us are going to be sitting in a back room discussing a lawsuit settlement when somebody gets killed in there,” council member William Goldfinch IV said.