Open Source: Circle K eyes former Osborn Elementary property

ASHLAND — A vacant lot next to the former Osborn Elementary building sold to a developer who is looking at it as a potential site for a Circle K convenience store and gas station. 

Shane Kremser, Ashland’s engineer, said a development manager from Circle K approached his office about a month ago with site plans. 

Circle K has not, however, submitted formal drawings and site plans, Kremser said.

“I don’t know if it’s going to happen,” Kremser said, adding these types of informal meetings with developers happen frequently. 

Nevertheless, the property is staked.

An Ashland resident reached out to Ashland Source via the Open Source platform on Nov. 15. “What is going on at the old Osborn School property. Have seen survey crews working there.” 

Bret Lamb, the development manager from Circle K who approached Kremser, was not immediately available to comment. 

The Ashland City Schools District put the property up for public auction on April 1. The board set the minimum bid for $250,000, but the 2.7-acre property sold for $210,000. The deal closed in May.

“We did not meet that minimum bid but our board was set on selling the property so we took the best bid,” said Kyle Klingler, the district’s treasurer. He said there were two bidders.

More information on the property

The property, according to county real estate records, now belongs to Osborn Ashland LLC, a corporation with a Cleveland address. Mark Radefeld is listed as the LLC’s statutory agent; efforts to reach him failed. 

Kremser said the owner, however, plans on leasing the land to Circle K if the development moves forward.

The school district closed Osborn at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

The property has sat vacant since 2016, when the district demolished the old building according to a plan that involved building a new middle school and Reagan Elementary.

The demolition cost the district $57,958.83, Klingler said.