Posted: 5:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015

Board OKs sale of former Verity School to church

By Rick McCrabb

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

    Twenty five years ago, 17 people started a church in the basement of a Springboro home.

    Today, Berachah Church has 500 members and worships in Middletown High School, but that’s going to change after the Middletown City Schools District board of education voted 4 to 1, with Katie McNeil casting the “no” vote, to sell the former Verity Middle School and surrounding 60 acres to Berachah for $293,000, or 40 percent of its appraised value.

    McNeil wanted to sell the school, but not all the acreage, she said.

    “More money” was her reason, she said.

    When the district held a public auction on Dec. 17 for the property at 1900 Johns Road,     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 won’t have to demolish the school at a cost of $330,000 and that money can be used 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.

    About 50 Berachah Church members stayed throughout the two-hour meeting until the board voted on the proposal. When it was announced the property was sold, there was a loud cheer in the council chambers.

    During his address to board members, Lamar Ferrell, pastor of Berachah, thanked them for allowing the church to fulfill its vision and dream.

    “We are here to shine our light,” he said. “But it’s not our light. It’s the light God put inside us. We believe in this community.”

    Then he added: “The best is yet to come.”

    He asked the community to prayer for the church’s “wisdom and direction.”

    “This is a dream realized,” he said on Tuesday. “We know it’s not ours. It belongs to the Lord. It’s a gift from Him.”

    He said the church will host an outside celebration service at Verity School on March 29, and he hopes the grand opening is held on Easter 2016.

    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 is debt free, he stressed. He said the generosity initiative 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.

 

Yeah-took a lot of know how to fill in a pool shaped hole. Too bad the city can't extrapolate that knowledge into properly filling potholes.

Sunset pool wasn't used before by children and hasn't since the 60's.

Factguy
You really need to change your name,,,because you ain’t got no facts
Sunset pool wasn't used before by children and hasn't since the 60's.
My grand daughter took swimming lessons at Sunset in the 90’s

Weatherwax being leased and remains golf course, city out of business, Wildwood, Brown's Run avaialble.
When all the paperwork was completed on this deal how much money did City Hall lose on this deal?

Less police and fire because of shrinking population, not needed.
Oh, is that why City Hall wants all these luxury apartments built in East End and Downtown Core? Hmmm?

Property bought downtown elevated values by controlling what was developed, and restored historic values by library.
You’re joking right? Show me the numbers Factguy. Main Street properties worth half their value and in freefall. And properties given to friends of City Hall as non profits. You killed the tax base for downtown properties.

Staff doesn't want more taxes. Know if it goes above current rate, most the city trying to keep from leaving, will leave.
That’s good because I will not give another dime to City Hall

AKS relo, UHC, others, will bring in 1,000 jobs, and payroll plus prop taxes.
You really need to go take your medication now

 

Factguy:

"Older, retired adults, empty nesters, would want safety...."
"Young professionals without children, or those with, would want good schools, good parks, sports, safety...."

Common word in your two comments are SAFETY, right Factguy? If true, then why do you think either you or the other city leaders would want to chop the police and fire to the absolute minimum? The parks are ok. The schools? Not even close to being acceptable.

Factguy:

"Recreation, such as bike riding, gyms, is important for any age."

Nope, not any age. Few over the age of 65 are riding bikes, nor have a gym membership. I agree, it WOULD BE important IF the 65+ age group were inclined to actually participate in the exercises you are suggesting here, but facts say they don't.

Factguy"

"Middletown passed the school levy, which provides quality of life for young adults and their children"

Nope. Not with this school district. This district doesn't offer any quality of life upgrades simply due to it's performance. As a matter of fact, the school levy to build new schools does not enhance Middletown at all as to attracting new residents. The new schools do not erase the poor reputation and performance known by all outside the city. This school district doesn't help, nor add any quality of life experiences to current residents either as it is not a quality system.

Fatguy:

"Moreover, the number of individuals who have been on both the school board and the city council that have lived in the city for decades demonstrates a commitment and longevity in their belief in the city"

Nope. Not only have the members of the school boards and councils, past and present, NOT demonstrated a commitment/"longevity of their beliefs", they have destroyed the city and the schools as compared to what they were four decades ago. Your statement would be correct IF we are to assume their "commitment" was to bring the city to it's knees and screw up everything that was good about the city. Otherwise, you are dead wrong on your praise for these two groups.

Factguy:

"For those evaluating the city to re-locate, that is very important. The city has succeeded in demonstrating its commitment and ability to provide a fine quality of life."

Do you even live in this city? Are you seeing what is really going on here? You're kidding, right? A "fine quality of life" in a city that has been turned into a ghetto, low income, Section 8 riddled, deceasing property values, poor schools, poor infrastructure, poor image failure? Seriously? That is one fine statement of denial going on for you and you, IMO, have just been nominated the Chair of the rose-colored glasses committee.

You have just demonstrated that you are totally out of touch with the reality of the situation in this city. Stop the nonsense Factguy and join us for a reality check.

Factguy:

"Viet Vet, everything you said was based upon many factors neither the city nor the board of education has had any control over the past 60 years"

Horsecrap Factguy! They chose to run for office. They chose to sit in the chairs manning council and the board. THEY CALLED TO SHOTS AS TO DIRECTION OF THE CITY AND THE SCHOOLS. CERTAINLY THEY HAD CONTROL OVER THINGS.

"Moreover, neither has the city council nor board of education, in most part, even been in the positions during the time you are speaking"

Correct, they are,for the most part, recent members AND they have had ample time under their belt to have changed things for the better but have failed miserably. Most on council and the school board have no intention of changing anything that hasn't worked and has led this city/schools on their downward slides.

"They pull back the number of vouchers and support one several levies that provide a higher quality of life that you were in favor"

The Mulligans (at least Larry) were a part of the condoning of the increase in vouchers. He and the others certainly could have reacted to the increase alot sooner than they did. They wanted the revenue and when they FINALLY saw what it was doing to the city, they decided to pull back on the reins, to no avail.

"To bring new business into the city, and as companies require a highly educated work force, the lured Cincinnati State to make investments and a commitment, and opened the first regional community college in Butler County"

No, they brought CS into the downtown area to bolster foot traffic and provide for activity in their downtown area. The "highly educated workforce" as a residual of their original motives. And, CS hasn't exactly been a strong catalyst for downtown activity now has it. To date, it has not come close to reaching it's intented goals of interest from students. Look at the attendance numbers.


"There is not a school board member nor council member in fifteen years that has not recognized Middletown is a manufacturing town in transition. Blue collar jobs across the country have been replaced by robotics, reducing work force numbers. The city knows the market has changed, and the city must change. We've been doing it for fifteen years."

Then how is it that we read all the time where Hamilton, West Chester and the surrounding communities are opening their doors to new manufacturing companies if they are being replaced? Got some news for you Factguy. There are still plenty of manufacturing jobs that can't be filled by robotics out there. Come play in my world of private sector work to learn more.

"The city knows the market has changed, and the city must change"

The city doesn't know a dam thing. That's why they are so far behind the surrounding communities in jobs and development. The Econ. Dev. Dept in this city is anemic compared to others.

"Youhave said many times, Middletown is a blue collar town. The problem is, there aren't enough blue collar jobs as there were fifty years ago"

Sure there are. Machinists, tool and die makers, diesel mechanics, draftsmen, good auto mechanics, construction- electricians,plumbers, heavy equipment operators, etc. Many areas in blue collar left.

"e are trying to change and move forward in the new economy. You appear to want Middletown to stay as its always been, all the while blaming others the revenue stream isn't there"

No, I want you to replace as you destroy. I want you to get some decent paying job opportunities in this city. I want you to make the town respectable again and repair the image you have destroyed.