YPA Counts Down the Top Ten: #6 Miles Bryan School, McKees Rocks

For the next several days, until May 21, YPA will count down its 2010 list of the Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities on its blog. On Friday, May 21, YPA will host a Historic Preservation Month Celebration, "Old is the New Green," at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Registration details are on YPA's website, http://www.youngpreservationists.org.

Since 2003, YPA has celebrated historic preservation with its annual list of the Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities in the Pittsburgh Area. The list, compiled from nominations received from various individuals and organizations, is designed to encourage investment in historic sites throughout the nine-county southwestern Pennsylvania region. The list has been used by property owners to draw positive attention to their properties, raise investment funds, secure grants, and generate political goodwill for their historic sites.

The sites featured on YPA's list come from six different counties and include industrial structures, Main Street commercial buildings, schools, a train station, and a bridge. Main Street features prominently in the list, with four of the Top Ten sites being situated in an existing Main Street commercial district. The remaining six sites are within blocks of an existing Main Street community.

The criteria used to select the Top Ten List include the following:

1. 50-year Threshold (is it 50 years old or older);

2. Historic & Architectural Significance;

3. Threats to the Site;

4. Community Input; and

5. Feasibility of the Solution.

#6 Miles Bryan School, McKees Rocks

Miles Bryan was one of the early leaders of Frank Bryan, Inc. He is credited for his role in building the McKees Rocks Bridge in addition to this building, which was constructed in 1928.

When the McKees Rocks and Stowe school districts merged to form Sto-Rox in 1966, Miles Bryan became Sto-Rox Middle School and served in that function until its closing in 1997. The breadth of young people and talented professionals to pass through its doors and enjoy the splendor of its grounds spans several generations. Grandparents and grandchildren alike share fond memories of this magnificent place.

Since its closing in 1997, Miles Bryan has sat vacant. Sto-Rox Schools sold the building in 2000 to a team of private investors; however the development plans quickly fizzled, and they began shopping the property around for sale.

The McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation currently has this property under agreement and is pursuing a development partner to convert the building into mid-range residential loft condominium. The building is ideally suited for this end-use, as the classroom layout translates directly into well-sized condo units. MRCDC is already exploring the economic feasibility of this use with a regional developer at this time. The McKees Rocks Historical Society has made Miles Bryan one of its priority sites, and is honored to be one of YPA’s Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities.