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Update on Claflin School Property. April 8, 2014. Background. Property deeded to the City for educational purposes in 1880 Site is location of first public school for blacks, established by the Federal Government through the Freedmen’s Bureau Site is listed on the local Black History Trail
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Update onClaflin School Property April 8, 2014
Background • Property deeded to the City for educational purposes in 1880 • Site is location of first public school for blacks, established by the Federal Government through the Freedmen’s Bureau • Site is listed on the local Black History Trail • Current structure built in 1958 and has sentimental value to many Columbus citizens • Structure has been abandoned for several years
Property Restrictions • Property must be used by the City for an educational purpose. • If not, the property must be transferred to the Federal Government.
Timeline • January 2013 – Council agrees to accept property from Muscogee County School District • August 5, 2013 – Redevelopment RFP released • August 26, 2013 Mandatory walk-through • Submission deadline extended to September 27, 2013 • September 13, 2013 Second walk through conducted
Timeline - Continued • September 27, 2013 – No proposals submitted • December 10, 2013 – Deadline for proposals extended to January 17, 2014 • January 3, 2014 – Third walk through conducted • January 17, 2014 – One proposal submitted • January 27, 2014 – Evaluation Committee meets to review proposal
Timeline - Continued • February 17, 2014 – Developer presentation of redevelopment proposal (multi-family housing, small area allocated to educational programming) • March 6, 2014 – Developer submits letter advising no longer interested in moving forward with proposal
Conclusions • Request for Proposals process did not yield a viable proposal to redevelop the property. • The City does not have an “educational use” for the property. • Property was in poor condition upon transfer to the City, has continued to deteriorate.
Recommendation • Transfer the property to the Federal Government for disposition