Greater Jasper School Corporation offers to sell property to city for $221K
Monday evening, the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation Board of Trustees approved a purchase agreement to sell a 10-acre parcel next to The Parklands to the City of Jasper.
The City of Jasper approached the school corporation in January to request its consideration of selling the property back to the city to be used as a potential location for the planned Regional Wellness Center. The city sold the 10 acres carved out of the former Jasper Country Club property to the corporation in 2014 for $173,445 as part of the process to create The Parklands.
The board subsequently approved moving forward with the sale in its February meeting, and last night, the board offered the property to the city for $221,722.50.
Along with the purchase price, the corporation has contingency clauses in the purchase agreement. Superintendent Dr. Tracy Lorey explained the purchase agreement includes an agreement that the corporation and city will work collaboratively in the planning process for the center to address parking and connectivity between the two campuses. Additionally, the corporation would like to be able to purchase the property back from the city for the same sale price if the wellness center is not built there. Finally, the corporation would like the right of first refusal if the city or YMCA abandoned the wellness center sometime down the road.
Board member Dr. Judy Englert asked if the city would ensure the new construction would not adversely impact the school corporation’s property. Specifically, she was concerned about water runoff and retention. “What if we end up with extra culverts or other things that need to happen on our property because of this building,” Dr. Englert asked. “What’s going to happen if that ends up affecting our land?”
Mayor Dean Vonderheide stated that they have options to address water runoff. He mentioned adding an above- or below-ground retention basin if necessary but also left it open to work through a solution with the corporation if necessary.
Dr. Lorey added that it was important to note that the Regional Wellness Center is still conceptual. “And so there is no definitive plan for the regional Wellness Center and the adjoining property,” she said.
Regarding Dr. Englert’s concerns, Dr. Lorey said they would be addressed as the engineering and design work is completed.
Mayor Vonderheide echoed Dr. Lorey’s statement, adding that working collaboratively was the key to leveraging the asset. “We wouldn’t do anything without your agreement or approval,” he said.
School board member Steve Lukemeyer stated he and board president Greg Eckerle would be involved in the discussions on the use of the property and its potential impact on the school corporation’s property as the purchase agreement is finalized.
The Jasper Common Council will consider a resolution to purchase the property at its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at the Jasper City Hall, 610 Main Street.
