Author’s note: When I wrote a letter to the editor of the Herald Independent a few weeks ago about the efforts to save and rehabilitate Mount Zion, my intent was simple: voice a positive vote for those tackling the issue one last time. I followed that by accepting a invitation to attend a meeting, thinking I’d cheer them on, write a check and come back for a fundraiser in a few months. Two weeks later I’m in the midst of steering committee meetings, emails, phone calls, information exchanges and a project of monumental but eminently doable proportions. I’m hooked.

The Herald Independent editor and publisher have graciously offered the Friends of Mount Zion Institute the opportunity to report directly to its readers, saving them staff time covering our meetings and giving us the chance to more fully share what we’re doing and where we’re heading. The committee group welcomes that; after all, this effort is on behalf of Fairfield residents, we need your help, and there’s much you need to know.

As reported in prior articles, a Steering Committee of interested citizens was formed at the first meeting. By the second meeting a week later, a database of former students and interested persons had been begun and members were well into acquainting themselves with terms related to rehabbing old buildings, funding, and all the other issues surrounding an endeavor such as this. At that meeting, it was agreed that a number of our functions would have to move concurrently due to the time frame of the six-month delay in demolition of Mount Zion. Subcommittees were established to deal with the primary goals of the group: to identify and seek members of a permanent board of directors for FOMZI, further explore our options on handling donations and seeking tax-exempt status, database/public relations, fund raising, and the all-important building oversight and research.

A third meeting in as many weeks, held Thursday, May 15th, was devoted to committee reports and assignments, assessments of progress, and much discussion of how best to relate what we’re doing and what we’re learning, first to the governmental entities that will play an important part in realizing this vision and, second, to the residents of Winnsboro and Fairfield County. Even as we prepare to ask for full public support, we realize that, for every one question that’s been asked or issue discussed in meetings, there are multiples of you asking the same thing. We’ll attempt to share some of our discoveries in the weeks ahead.

Starting with the center of discussion, the school building itself, we’ve collectively and individually discussed and researched similar projects and learned much from Bill McMaster, whose interest in the building didn’t just begin a few weeks ago, and Mike Bedenbaugh of Palmetto Trust, who’s studied and participated in numerous similar efforts.. We’ve had access to prior feasibility studies and are beginning to take a hard look at the numbers involved. Bill and Mike have further shared with us information developed from the study done by Ed Lipsky of RehabBuilders of Winston-Salem and covered in the Herald Independent. We’re learning that the process of evaluating the condition of a building is an on-going process, much of which takes place once renovation starts; however, preliminary determinations by firms with experience in historic buildings are important tools for decisions on how to proceed. Comparing the Mt. Zion building with many others that have been rehabbed, in terms of condition, cost and feasibility, continues to be a focus, as does use and funding. In those regards, there is reason for optimism; word is getting around and getting to some promising ears!

The group is particularly mindful of the necessity that whatever may come of this effort will not be successful unless it’s sustainable over the long haul. The fact that we’re concentrating on a primarily educational use, with Midlands Tech as a major tenant rather than, say, private development of residential or retail nature, means we’ll be looking harder at the numbers and looking further down the road.

While there’s a good cross-section of knowledge and experience within the group already, we’re also seeking out the involvement of others with specific insight into the various areas of concern.

The Friends of Mt. Zion steering committee is finding much to be encouraged about and, as one member said this week, “We’re building a positive momentum”. There remain many issues to still address, of course, one of which is garnering public support. Look for upcoming FOMZI items related to how to get involved. In the meantime, if you attended elementary or middle school at Mt. Zion after the high school closed, please let us hear from you, especially if you can help with contact information for others for our database. Call 635-4041, ext. 112.

We’ll keep you posted.