The castle-like brownstone building is one of those landmarks many Duluthians couldn't imagine their city without.
For more than a century, the Historic Old Central High School has been a part of the city's streetscape, with its pointy clock tower poking up from its spot on the hillside. For decades, it was a bustling hub for Duluth students, thousands of whom traipsed across the grassy lawn and beneath the arched entryways on their way to class each day.
"On one of the TV stations, you'll see it in the background at the beginning of the Duluth news," said Nancy Mehrman, a member of the Historic Old Central High School Museum Committee that gives tours of the building.
"It's an iconic building," said Bill Gronseth, superintendent of the Duluth Public Schools.
Estimates presented to Duluth's school board in June revealed the beloved structure is in need of some serious repair. Assessments made by contractors this year put the cost of rehabilitation at $48.5 million.
The school board, which owns the building, hasn't decided how to address the problems. The old high school, built in 1892, is on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning it's not an option to demolish it and construct something new in its place.
"Preserving the building is important to the whole community," Gronseth said.
It could, however, mean selling Historic Old Central. Gronseth said in coming weeks and months the school board will launch discussions about whether to find a way to fund repairs or put the building on the market.