HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The fate of the historic Attucks High School is up in the air after a two-hour long hearing with the Hopkinsville Code of Enforcement Board left the property owners with 90 days to fix all structural issues to avoid demolition. Meanwhile, due to safety issues, the Hopkinsville Fire Department could initiate the abatement process at any time.
“Give us time,” pleaded Men 2 Be founder LaDessa Lewis during the Aug. 11 meeting. Her local nonprofit has spent the past few years pursing ambitions plans to restore the abandoned 100-year-old Attucks campus to utilize it as a community center.
“This is a historic landmark here in Hopkinsville and that is why we are trying so hard to restore it,” she added, describing the building as a monument and a legacy for the city. Lewis passionately expressed that they should be allotted more time to raise funds.
Built in 1916, Attucks served as the first public school for black students in the area during segregation. In 2024, the Attucks Alumni Association gifted the building to Men 2 Be for the cost of just one dollar. They recently amplified the history of the building by installing plaques honoring key local figures and covering the exterior with pictures of youth members of the nonprofit.
Breakdown of structural issues, code violations at Attucks
The Hopkinsville Code of Enforcement Board initially discussed the condition of Attucks High School during their June meeting. It was found that the portion of the building that was built in 1957 has minor code violations and the section that was built in 1916 qualifies as an unsafe structure with the west wing in imminent danger of collapse, according to engineers.
Code Enforcement Officer Mark DeArmond presented the case in June, and it was ultimately tabled until August to allow Men 2 Be time to take action toward correcting the issues.
“This is one building, but it’s got three separate issues,” said DeArmond during the June presentation. He explained that the right section of the school is an addition that was built in 1957, and the left side is the original structure that was constructed in 1916 which includes the west wing. The school had been unoccupied since 1988.
An initial exterior inspection was conducted in May of 2024 after a complaint, and again in November of 2024. No further action was taken at that time by code enforcement due to ongoing talks between Men 2 Be and city leadership about the school, “We were not going to muddy the waters with issuing a citation on what we found.”
After another inspection in August of 2025 alongside engineers, a roof collapse in May of 2026 resulted in the west wing being deemed an unsafe structure. DeArmond told the board that they felt the safety of the neighborhood was at risk due to the uncertainty of the stability of the west wing.
In regard to the 1957 portion, damage to the interior includes gaping holes in the ceiling and fractures to steel beams that hold up gym bleachers. On the older side of the building, the foundation has cracks, exterior walls have damage, there are broken windows and decayed frames. There is no roof on this section of the building leaving the interior exposed to the elements causing damage to floors and walls, with stairways decayed and unusable.
The entire west wing has been gated off due to structural damage.
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Structure poses safety risk, discussion continues
“While we appreciate what Men 2 Be are doing, sometimes we have to make hard decisions based on life safety issues…it’s gotten to the point where it cannot be repaired,” said Fire Chief Steve Futrell.
During the follow up meeting on Aug. 11, DeArmond confirmed that the debris has been removed from the west wing from the roof collapse and wooden braces have been installed on the exterior in an attempt to keep the wall from falling. He noted that the plywood and fencing that was in place to keep people out of the building has been moved, and kids have been found exploring inside the structure.
Kelly Gardner with Gardner Engineering & Consulting clarified that the braces will not be able to support the walls long term. He added that the brick is essentially “dry” due to age, and could not take the load of a new roof. Due to risk of collapse, he believes it is not safe for even construction crews to attempt work.
Futrell told the board that the nonprofit has not communicated a clear plan, and the fire department has the authority to bring down the structure if they feel it is a life safety issue. Futrell feels that people will still find a way to access the structure and severe weather could impact the building. He said, “We are at the point where we have to act.”
Men 2 Be response, final decision
“I did not go to that school, but my parents did,” said Lewis after hearing from engineers. “It’s heartbreaking that Men 2 Be is the only one that sees the significance of it.”
Representatives with Men 2 Be agreed with the evaluation of the engineer, arguing that it will take them longer than the time that was allotted to get additional grants and tax credits in order to fully fund the repairs that are needed to bring it up to code. It was roughly estimated that rebuilding the old section of the building would cost upward of $1 million.
Board Chair Rodney Davis expressed that they had to take emotion out of the decision making and focus on the facts. The board went back and forth on deliberations, with a motion made to once again table the decision to Aug. 25 once the nonprofit has received additional advice. During this vote to table the decision, it was initially a tie, with Chair Rodney required to make the final decision. The motion did not pass.
Next, they voted in favor of confirming that a violation had taken place before tiptoeing around a final decision. Board members dually expressed admiration for Men 2 Be’s efforts amid discussions. Another motion was made to enact fines for the violation and allow them 90 days to cure all code violations or abate the property, and it was withdrawn. Once again, a motion was made to abate the portion of the building that was construction in 1916 within seven days along with the minimum fine. This motion did not pass.
A final motion was made to once again allot a 90-day period to correct all code violations or abate the old portion, which ended in a second tie. The board chair voted in favor to break the tie and the motion passed.
It has not been confirmed if HFD will pursue demolition before the deadline.
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