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HOPKINSVILLE, KY – Men 2 Be, a nonprofit organization empowering young men ages seven to 18 through mentorship and character development, is proud to announce a new partnership with real estate development group WB Properties SE, LLC, to continue restoring the historic Attucks School.
WB Properties, led by cofounder and engineer Eric D. Coleman, brings extensive experience in redevelopment and stakeholder engagement, specifically revitalizing housing in Hopkinsville’s Legacy Neighborhoods. WB Properties will serve as the lead project manager for the Attucks restoration, including coordinating contractors, managing timelines, and securing the necessary resources to preserve this community landmark.
“We are committed to ensuring the successful restoration of this historic site, not just as a structure, but as a catalyst for renewal and growth on the Eastside,” Coleman said. “Our team will oversee all aspects of the project in order to determine what it will take to restore the building’s structural integrity plus everything else this project can spur for the neighborhood. This building will be the anchor for the development that follows in this area.”
| RELATED STORY: 100-year-old section of Attucks High could be demolished despite restoration efforts
Next steps to move project forward at Attucks, history of high school
The partnership between Men 2 Be and WB Properties will focus on three key areas:
- Preservation and Restoration of the historic Attucks School.
- Re-development of the Eastside neighborhood with attainable housing as a core focus.
- Catalyzing economic empowerment through a hub of education, entrepreneurship, and health and wellness activities.
“Preserving this historic site is about more than saving a building; it’s about honoring our community’s resilience and creating a space that will serve as a beacon of hope, education and mentorship,” said LaDessa Lewis, cofounder and executive director of Men 2 Be.
Originally constructed in 1916 as the first high school for African-American students in Christian and Trigg counties, Attucks later served as an integrated middle school following desegregation in 1967 until it closed in 1988. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Avoiding demolition of oldest portion of school
In 2024, Men 2 Be purchased the building for $1 from the school’s alumni association. The nonprofit invested resources to maintain the building, pursued funding and tax credits, and engaged professionals to evaluate development possibilities.
However, the project faced a setback in May when part of the roof collapsed during a storm. On August 11, the city code enforcement board gave the nonprofit a 90-day timeline to stabilize the 1916 portion of the building or proceed with demolition.
“We understand the seriousness of the situation,” Lewis said. “But we believe these 90 days should be used to exhaust every reasonable opportunity to save it. With WB Properties’ expertise and the community’s support, we believe we can restore this landmark and give it a new purpose.”
“This partnership with Men 2 Be aligns with our mission to preserve history and empower communities,” Coleman said. “We plan to transform this into a vibrant space that will inspire everybody — youth and adults alike for generations to come.”
For more information about the Attucks project, visit http://wbpropertiesse.com/. To make a donation, visit www.men2beinc.org.
| RELATED STORY: City weighs in on safety concerns, possible demolition at Attucks campus