ASHLAND — The city of Ashland plans to purchase the Lincoln Elementary School property and turn it into a park, Ashland City Schools Supt. Steve Paramore announced at Monday night’s board meeting.
“We’re in the business of taking care of kids,” Paramore said. “A park is a win-win for the district and the city.”
According to previous reporting from Richland Source, Lincoln Elementary closed after the 2012-2013 school year.
“I was a principal there so there’s a warm place in my heart for it. I’d love for the right person to come along and buy that and do something great for that community,” said Doug Marrah, the superintendent at the time.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said the city first discussed purchasing the property when Marrah was superintendent. But the deal was never completed.
“When the elementary school was closed down and demolished, it left a hole in our city,” Miller said.
When the school was there, its playground was open to the public. Without the school, that area of the city doesn’t have a recreational place to gather. The mayor added the goal of turning the elementary school property into a park is to recreate that space.
Next steps
The agreement between the city and school district is not yet finalized. Paramore said they’re not in any hurry to finish the pact, and didn’t have specifics on when the agreement would be completed.
It was a topic of discussion in the board’s executive session Monday.
Miller said the next step will be for the city to draft a purchase agreement. Then it will have to pass through both city council and the Ashland City Schools Board of Education.
Miller expects to see action on the purchase agreement after the new year.
“The board and superintendent see the importance of providing a recreational area for people in that neighborhood, and the city will take on the responsibility for upgrades,” Miller said.
Should both bodies approve the city’s purchase of the property, Miller anticipates fundraising for playground equipment to happen quickly. He said he hopes there will be donations and help from the community.
