Harvey called for a postmortem from city and school officials.

“We don’t want to stop progress,” he said, taking solace in plans for a memorial park at the site to commemorate the school’s legacy and street names that will honor past educators, such as Peterson.

“I don’t think it’s asking too much. ... How did we get to this point? Why did this school die, and now why do we have to bury this school? ... Especially at a time in our city where symbols, landmarks and even monuments mean so much. We take care of those things.”

Others, like City Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille, who represents the East End and graduated from Armstrong in 1970, were more upbeat.

“It is my absolute pleasure as a graduate of Armstrong High School to have this opportunity to see this landmark in the lives of many to be transformed now into a different type of landmark that will undergird and support the growth and nurturing of our children, youth and families in our community, providing high-quality mixed-income housing,” Newbille said.

Rob Fossi, mid-Atlantic regional director for Community Builders, acknowledged that the day was bittersweet for the alumni but pledged to continue the site’s use as a “platform for the next generation to succeed.”

“We accept the responsibility of doing right by you,” he said. “And along with our partners at the city and RRHA, we invite you to continue coming back and holding us accountable for making this what we have promised along with our local partners, which is something to proud of for the next generation. ... Just as you have used this school as a platform to succeed in your life, we hope this mixed-income community will do the same.”