Investigative Lens: Dunbar School
Dunbar School on Smith Ave. in the mid-2010s. {Contributed photo by Charles Owens}
One of the beauties of being a newspaper publisher is the fact you get a chance to shine a spotlight on stories that matter. The stories that may not receive a lot of attention in the mainstream media. The stories that may not be deemed important by others. The stories that often get lost in the shuffle.
At Davidson Local, along with our daily coverage, we’ll also publish investigative stories that are locally rooted. These stories may be unique to Davidson County. These stories may help bring awareness to issues across the country. These stories may enlighten you to injustices within our own community.
They might be uncomfortable to read. They might produce conviction. They might invoke a range of emotions. Ultimately, we hope that after you finish reading, you will share what you’ve learned. If the story is one that prompts a call to action, we hope you will answer.
Digging Deep
Our first investigative story is one that spans decades. It’s a story that began during the era of segregation and Jim Crow. Seventy years later, the matter remains relevant and prevalent in Lexington, given the city council’s decision to approve a zoning permit to covert Dunbar School into apartments.
Over the next several weeks, Davidson Local will be publishing articles every Wednesday, starting April 7, in a series we’re calling Preserving Dunbar.
Our coverage will consist of:
the history of the two schools (4th St. and Smith Ave.)
their closures
the acquisition of the school on Smith Ave. by Lexington City Schools
the demolition of the 4th St. school
the plans to purchase the Smith Ave. property by community members
the subsequent sale of the property to the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte
the reaction in the community over the city’s zoning ordinances
the city’s explanation and potential changes to the ordinances
the proposed development of the Smith Ave. school
Subscribe here to receive our free, daily email to ensure you don’t miss an article in this series.
