Salina ? A developer wants to tear down a nearly century-old school building in Salina to make way for an apartment complex.

The Salina Journal reported that the city’s Heritage Commission voted unanimously Wednesday night to allow the demolition of the former Hawthorne Elementary. Several who attended the meeting expressed concern about losing a piece of the city’s history.

Developer Brett Johnson says he understands the emotions but that there are few plots of land large enough for the $4 million development.

Johnson says the company where he works as a partner, Overland Park-based Overland Property Group, plans to use “every ounce of brick that’s physically possible” from the structure.

The company also plans a memorial and will incorporate the school’s stone entry arch into the entry of the development’s clubhouse.