City council votes on proposal for Claflin

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - The Columbus City Council will vote on the fate of a school that is in a state of disrepair but supporters are not giving up hope.

Claflin was the areas first public school built for African American students and it's been in danger of being torn down.

Council will decide whether to accept a proposal from the group to lease and restore the buildings on the historic site. If the plan is approved the group will start applying for restoration grants and begin fundraising.

The school is touted as a former beacon of educational freedom and social change in Columbus. The friends of the Historic Claflin Committee wants the school to be a place where people can learn about the history, heritage and contributions blacks have made to this city.

If the measure does not pass the building could be turned over to the federal government and the land sold to a developer.

The city council meeting starts Tuesday at 5:30 at the Citizens Service Center. News Leader 9 will be there and will have the latest

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