Posted: 12:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2015

Church’s plans for school seen as positive

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

    While Middletown school board members wished the vacant school and property sold for more at auction, they believe plans for the former Verity Middle School are positive for the Middletown community.

    Last month, Berachah Church was the highest bidder at a live auction for the former Verity Middle School property, 1900 Johns Road, and the nearly 60 acres that surround the building. Berachah bid $293,000 for all three parcels, $3,000 more than the Performing Arts Academy, said George Long, district business manager. The property was appraised at $740,000, he said.

    By selling the property, Long said the district it will save $330,000 — the cost of demolition — and that money can be spent renovating Middletown High School and building a middle school. He said if the school was demolished, the 60 acres would be appraised at $250,000.

    School board members are expected to vote tonight, Jan. 26,on whether to sell the property to Berachah or keep it and possibly have it demolished.

    “We don’t need it right now,” said Marcia Andrew, board president. The church’s plans would serve a lot of students, which could be beneficial for the entire community, she said.

    Lamar Ferrell, Berachah pastor, said he has heard nothing but positive comments from the community since it was announced that the church plans to purchase the property.

    “This is of monumental importance to help this city,” Ferrell said. “This is a win for the community. We want to be a blessing.”

    Ferrell said restoration of the former Verity School, which closed in 2012 as a way to reduce $5 million from the district’s budget, is estimated at $1.6 million, meaning the total investment will be about $1.9 million. Berachah has secured a feasibility study and master site plan from the McKnight Group, a Grove City-based company, and the church is ready to move ahead with construction, he said.

    Berachah has been approved for financing through American Saving Bank and the church, which worships in Middletown High School, is debt free, he stressed. He said the capital campaign is called Overflow and the first offering is set for April 12. The goal is to raise $700,000 over the next three years, he said.

    The plans call for a 1,000-seat sanctuary to be built on the front of the building that faces Breiel Boulevard. Ferrell said the property would be used to serve the community in numerous ways, including seasonal outreach at Freedom Court, a summer lunch program, Vacation Bible School, a community health clinic, Red Cross classes, children’s summer theatre, after-school mentoring, community rooms, Upward Sports, practice fields and Elley’s Hope Playground, designated for children with disabilities, at nearby Lefferson Park.

 

The new middle school SHOULD HAVE been built on this property.....period

Humor me.

Buying one's way to prosperity doesn't seem logical when ownership is selling property to non profits on values 20% of tax valuation or a $1.00. 

I still have lots of questions concerning the downtown give-a-ways non profit buildings

Q: How did HEP sell the CG&E building  for 5.6 million dollars when it was only appraised at 3.2 million and
      two floors are still not completed? This deal smells to high heaven and needs a full investigation by the state....
Q: The old Senior Citizens building and the 1st National Bank buildings are now owned by HEP. When are these
      buildings going to be restored? Both buildings were given to HEP for ZERO DOLLARS. So when these building
      start falling down will we the taxpayer get to pay for the demo of these buildings also?

Big questions and City Hall has no answers to my questions?
Please remember who veto yes to these deals come election time. It's time for a major change at City Hall.