The second phase of the project begun in 2022 will include replacement of the school's windows beginning this winter. St. Ann's was built by the Catholic Diocese of Erie in 1925.
By Valerie Myers
Erie Times-News
January 13, 2025
The Sarah A. Reed Children's Center is ready to begin work on the final phase of its $1.3 million renovation of the former St. Ann's School in Erie.
The center offers programs for children with emotional, mental and behavioral health issues at the century-old school at 1020 East 10th St. The children's center has owned the building since 1986, but the school was vacant for three years, until 2022, while programs offered in partnership with the Erie School District were consolidated at other sites.
"Like any older building, it needed work and we came up with a three- to seven-year game plan to address it," said Gary Bukowski, the Sarah A. Reed Children's Center associate vice president of development.
The project is bringing jobs, services and community-based programs to the East Avenue area neighborhood and earned a 2024 Greater Erie Award for Adaptive Reuse from Preservation Erie.
"There's a sense of positivism in the neighborhood, and we're contributing to that with a presence and engagement that we didn't have here two and a half years ago," Bukowski said.
The renovations
First-phase work that began in 2022 and is now complete included roof and HVAC system replacement, technology upgrades, expansion of the school library, exterior cleaning, and the purchase of new classroom and office furniture. The $600,000 project also provided a sensory room where children can relax and calm down as needed.
A $195,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Neighborhood Assistance Program helped fund first-phase renovations to the building built by the Catholic Diocese of Erie in 1925.
Second-phase work expected to begin this winter will include door replacement, new carpeting and vinyl flooring, hallway and gym renovations, and exterior masonry restoration.
The nonprofit organization so far has raised $400,000, including a $100,000 Erie Community Foundation grant, to complete the renovations, which will include replacement of the school's 58 windows.
"Once we do that, we will have completed shoring up the building," Bukowski said.
The Sarah A. Reed Children's Center is continuing to raise funds for the second-phase renovations. Total cost is estimated at $700,000.
Economic impact
Reopening the St. Ann's campus of Sarah Reed brought 33 full-time jobs with salaries and benefits totaling more than $1.4 million to the East Avenue neighborhood. The staff includes three behavioral counselors added this school year to help serve 12 additional students.
Phase-one renovations provided work for 25 construction workers and local suppliers, Bukowski said. Local firms will also be employed for phase-two construction.
A neighborhood partner
The former St. Ann's School primarily serves elementary through high school-age children referred to its "sanctuary" learning and learning fundamentals programs to learn how to regulate their emotions and behaviors in a therapeutic environment.
Large public schools "can be a big, scary place," said Ron Rodney, Sarah Reed program manager at St. Ann's. "Kids who don't do well there often come here and learn to thrive."
The nonprofit's St. Ann's campus also provides community services, including outpatient therapy for individuals, parents and families. Eighty-five percent of the children and families served are economically under-privileged.
"This building jumpstarted our outpatient services and is again providing those services in a community with particular challenges and needs," said Adrienne Dixon, the children's center president and CEO.
The St. Ann's campus has hosted a summer program for children and the annual Sarah's Great Giveaway, which provides clothes, books, toys, appliances, housewares and other necessities to anyone in need. The school recently hosted a visit by the AmeriHealth Caritas Mobile Unit providing health information for children and families.
The Sarah A. Reed Children's Center additionally participates in the East Avenue/Hess Avenue Neighborhood Watch. Security cameras installed at St. Ann's are registered with the district attorney's office for access as needed by law enforcement to help make the neighborhood safer.
"We're a neighborhood staple," Rodney said. "Local businesses and people are glad to see us back."
"We're putting the soul and spirit back in St. Ann's," Bukowski said.
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com
