City Councilman William Peduto yesterday unveiled a plan to save the Pittsburgh Schenley High School building, a proposal welcomed by school supporters but denounced by Pittsburgh Public Schools officials and Councilman Patrick Dowd.

Mr. Peduto proposed selling the 13-acre Reizenstein property in Shadyside for $15 million and letting a developer turn it into housing that would yield an estimated $37.9 million in new taxes over 20 years.

He said that $53 million represents much of the money needed to renovate the 92-year-old Schenley building, which he called "the grand old lady of Oakland." He said it would be possible to renovate the building without the district taking on new debt.

"This is an opportunity to do the right thing, to think outside the box," Mr. Peduto said.

Schenley supporters, who are battling school Superintendent Mark Roosevelt over the building's future, praised Mr. Peduto's efforts.

"I think it's great that people are looking for alternatives," Highland Park resident Jill Weiss said.

But Mr. Roosevelt called the plan a package of inaccurate information and unworkable ideas. For example, he said money from the sale of Reizenstein, a former middle school, would have to be used to retire $11 million in outstanding debt on the building.

Mr. Dowd, a former school board member, said it would be foolish for the district to overhaul Schenley with little more than hoped-for taxes from a Reizenstein redevelopment.

Mr. Roosevelt has asked the school board to vote June 25 to close Schenley, saying the district cannot afford $76.2 million in repairs.

Mr. Peduto, based on his conversations with construction experts, called $40 million a more accurate estimate. Mr. Roosevelt called that an "irresponsible" figure.

Mr. Roosevelt would reassign Schenley's remaining students to the Reizenstein building and allow them to remain together until their classes graduate. He would send future ninth-graders to new schools, ending Schenley's run as one of the city's most popular, successful schools.

Mr. Peduto's plan comes as Schenley supporters prepare for public hearings at 7 p.m. Monday before the school board and 6 p.m. Tuesday before council.

Mr. Peduto said he got involved because residents want to save Schenley and turn Reizenstein into a residential neighborhood, enhancing existing commercial and residential development in the East Liberty-Shadyside area.