The city is pursuing the next step to ensure a large portion of the former Churchill Jr. High School property will be used as a community green space. The existing school building, however, remains for sale.
On Tuesday, the Planning & Zoning commission will conduct a public hearing to present a minor plat which would subdivide the property at 905 Maple Ave. and create the Greenspace Subdivison. The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Council Chambers.
Lot 1 of the subdivision will be approximately 8.28 acres and contains the green space, the parking lot on the north side of Churchill and the vehicular entrances to Maple Avenue and Mary Street.
Lot 2 will be approximately 6.62 acres and is the portion of the property where the existing school building is located. This lot will include everything from approximately 15 feet north of the school to the south property line.
Steve Gugliotta, director of Community Development, tells WGIL, “After receiving community feedback on the desire for green space in this area, it was decided to subdivide to ensure the green space on the northern portion of the property remains under city ownership.”
Gugliotta said the initial use of Lot 1 will be to maintain it as green space for community activities.
The Development Review Committee members reviewed the Minor Plat during their Oct. 4 meeting and recommend approval.
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The City is officially accepting bids for the former Churchill school building, once the recommended site for a proposed community center.
At its Oct. 2 meeting, the City Council approved the final reading of an ordinance directing the sale of the property. Public notices were placed in a local newspaper for 3 consecutive weeks and bid packets were sent out. Bids will be due Nov. 6 and read aloud during the Council meeting that night.
An internal review will be conducted of any bids received, and it is anticipated Council would vote on any recommended bid at their Nov. 20 meeting.
The city, according to Gugliotta, has received minimal interest to date for Churchill.
“We have been contacted by about six individuals over the last few months who have walked through the building, but some of those may have just been curious to see the interior and not a true interest in purchasing the property,” he said.
Contact WGIL Content Director Jay Redfern at jayr@wgil.com.
