A demolition has been completed: Now finally gone is the Parkland school building where 17 students and staff members were killed in a 2018 massacre.
The 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High was the site of the school shooting that also resulted in the wounding of 17 more. The building recently was entirely demolished and the debris was cleared, school district officials said Tuesday.
What’s next for the cleared land?
“The land is now being prepped to be covered with sod until plans for the site are determined,” said district spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion.
There has not yet been any decision what will go on that site, she said.
One possibility being discussed with the families is a “legacy field” in that spot for sports, or marching band or band practices.
“We would really like it to be a space where life flourishes,” said Debbi Hixon, a School Board member, whose husband was among those who died. She said she wants her husband, Chris Hixon, Douglas’ wrestling coach and athletic director, to be remembered for the “amazing person he was, not the way he died.”
The building had been preserved to serve as evidence at the shooter’s 2022 penalty trial. Jurors toured its bullet-pocked and blood-stained halls, but spared him a death sentence. He is serving a term of life without parole. After the trial, the building was opened up so family members themselves could walk through, as well as visitors.
Many have described the inside as a time capsule of that February day in 2018, which was Valentine’s Day. Textbooks and laptops sat open on desks, and wilted Valentine’s Day flowers, deflated balloons and abandoned teddy bears were scattered amid broken glass.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash
