Mineral Wells Area News

After arson destroyed the 107-year-old historical Fannin High School almost three years ago, the massive burned out building is still sitting at the crossroads of demolition and restoration. After a special session of MWISD’s School Trustees in late March, the fate of the historical Mineral Wells High School is once again to be determined by real estate developers, but this time with less restrictions in place. Officials are hoping for a miracle and do not want to see it torn down.

According to MWISD Superintendent John Kuhn, the building went up for sale through a bid process once before in 2023 but received no offers. He hopes less restrictive parameters for buyers will attract an offer this time.

“I had our lawyers include lots and lots of restrictions on any potential buyer because I didn’t want a former ISD property to be bought and then used for some purpose that might not be beneficial to the city. So there were restrictions such as the school board would be able to veto any development plans that it disagreed with,” wrote Kuhn. “We basically didn’t want the old Mineral Wells High School to be bulldozed and replaced with a business that neighbors might find objectionable or that might harm property values or be an eyesore along Highway 180.”

Kuhn continued, “Fannin is in very bad condition. It burned down. It could be saved by someone able to spend millions of dollars. The school district doesn’t have enough funds to restore it, so if no one buys it, we would have three options—demolish (which would cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars), leave it as it stands (which is a massive eyesore), or ask voters to pass an estimated $20 million bond to restore it to some useable purpose. The last two options are not options that I would advise the board to pursue, and in fact I have told them that if we are unable to sell it this go-round, I’ll be recommending demolition. The final vote will be up to the board, but there aren’t many good answers other than someone with resources and a positive development vision purchasing the building and hopefully utilizing it to turn a profit while benefitting the citizens of Mineral Wells.”

MWAN asked if the ISD could control the future use of the property, and learned theoretically they could add restrictions to dictate what it’s used for after the sale, but since not getting any bidders last time, they are not putting many restrictions on the bid packet this time.

Kuhn says he is aware the building has immense value as a historical property and deserves to be saved, if it can be. The ISD has had inquiries about buying the building from one or more real estate agents representing potential buyers, and intends to reach out to potential buyers’ representatives to make sure they are aware that the building is available for purchase via the bid process again.

“There are developers of historical properties who have the experience and the smarts to take a property like Fannin and turn it into something amazing that will pay them back their sizeable restoration investment and create a unique and vibrant space for our community, that we can be proud of,” stated Kuhn.

“Our goal with this sale is to find that special person or company who has that vision and the ability to pull off a Fannin miracle. I’m still hopeful that the building can be saved and restored to something amazing. And if it can’t be—if it’s just too expensive and ultimately not feasible—then the ISD governing board will make the best decision they can given the fiscal reality of owning a historical building that sadly burned,” he wrote.

 “I appreciate the public’s patience as we’ve explored options and have tried to avoid tearing it down. This vote on whether to pursue a sale feels like one last chance for a hero to emerge and resurrect Fannin for the city of Mineral Wells.”