The Wadsworth City School District Board of Education has published a Request for Proposal for the sale of the current Central Intermediate School building that was constructed in 1907.
As of November 20, 2024, the Wadsworth City School District is soliciting proposals for the purchase of the Central Intermediate School located at 151 Main Street.
In the introduction of the proposal, it says that the goal of the District is to preserve and rehabilitate the current building in some way. They have a priority of preserving the OJ Work Auditorium due to its significance as a community landmark in Wadsworth.
“The Central Intermediate School property has been a staple of the Wadsworth community for generations,” said Wadsworth School Board member Tim Beck. “I recognize there is an emotional attachment to that building — my mother went to high school there in the 1950s. It’s safe to say the board wants what’s best for the community and school district. I’m hopeful we will find the right solution moving forward.”
The District is looking for a developer to purchase and rehabilitate the CIS building. Whoever buys the building will have to purchase the premises “as is”. The Developer will then have 365 days to start the rehabilitation of the building after the property transfer and will have five years to complete the project after the property transfer.
The Board of Education will be the sole entity responsible for making the sale decision.
In the proposal, it is also stated, “The redevelopment project should demonstrate a clear connection to and enhance nearby assets within the City of Wadsworth.”
“We are interested in how the proposals will further enhance our city’s downtown area and be used for community use,” said Andrew Hill, Wadsworth Superintendent.
Currently, the building, described as in “poor condition”, is three stories and around 111,420 square feet.
The premises are valued at $3,776,390, with the land being $672,690 and the building being $3,103,700.
Currently, there is not a specific plan for how to use the money.
“The Board of Education will make this decision following all applicable state of Ohio statutes,” Hill said.
The due date for the proposal is Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. The proposals will be reviewed the week of Jan. 13, 2025, the project award will be no later than Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, and the public notice will be made the week of Feb. 3, 2025.
Marge Haskins • Dec 17, 2024 at 8:23 pm
It would be such a wonderful bonus to have this sale happen. The building is a city landmark, with so much potential in the right hands.
I would especially love to see the preservation of O.J. Work auditorium. It is so desperately needed for the continued use of the Wadsworth Footlighters, the community playgroup that is such an enhancement to our city.