Empty spaces at former middle school to be filled
When we learned of the closure of Butler Middle School, effective in June 2022, we anxiously awaited hearing how the massive, empty building would be filled.
It didn’t take long. The Butler Area School District school board voted to transfer the 180,000-square-foot facility at 225 E. North St. to the nonprofit Pittsburgh Gateways at a cost of $1 at a September meeting.
At that time, we were told Pittsburgh Gateways would transform the building into a developmental space for businesses, community organizations and activities to benefit the city economically and culturally.
Considering the nonprofit has completed similar transformations, the news felt reassuring. The nonprofit had done good things for the former Connelley Trade School in Pittsburgh in the early 2010s.
But still, we wondered what would these businesses and community organizations be? How would they benefit our city? After all, Pittsburgh and Butler, though close in proximity, are two very different places.
Just this past week we learned more about plans for the space.
In the Tuesday edition of the Butler Eagle, we reported that Pittsburgh Gateways is in discussions with Butler Health System and the Watson Institute about leasing space in the building and hopes to have its first tenant move in next year.
The Watson Institute provides special education programs to the Butler Area and other districts at five schools it operates in Allegheny County.
As we approach the one-year mark of the building’s closing, this is welcome news.
We know good things come in time, so there’s no need to rush the move-in date for these tenants. We are happy to learn that progress is being made and that change is underway behind those shuttered doors.
— TL
