Bexley schools goes through with debated $6 million land purchase

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) -- Bexley City Schools has gone forward with its $6.03 million land purchase after 75 days of deliberation and split public opinion on the project.

The district announced its closing sale Thursday night in a message from Superintendent Jason Fine, three days after the due diligence period ended. Fine said the district has worked to examine the property and decided the opportunity would be "transformational" for Bexley schools.

The land, comprised of 28.36 acres at 935 N. Cassady Ave., will be used for an athletic complex and to address the district's growing facility needs. Public Information Officer Carol Taylor said the district consulted widely before finalizing the purchase, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, civil engineers and an environmental attorney.

Bexley residents have voiced split opinions on the land. Taylor said they have received positive feedback from "several members" of the community, both with students in the district and without. She acknowledged many residents' concerns had to do with the timing, which coincided with a hefty levy that passed in November, as the $6 million purchase did not include anticipated development costs.

Some concerns had to do with the value of the land, which was purchased in March by local businessman Fatih Gunal for just $2,225,000. The district said it has long been searching for land that would suit its needs, and the nearly tripled price tag just months later gave some taxpayers pause. NBC4 previously discovered the land was more inexpensive in its March purchase because of an ongoing lawsuit that significantly affected the cost of the land.

"We certainly wish we knew about the property in March, but it was never publicized," Taylor said. "We heard about it by word of mouth."

Some residents also said they were concerned about safety at the complex, which is outside of Bexley limits and next door to the Calgon Carbon Corporation. According to the Ohio EPA, the Calgon facility has the potential to emit harmful compounds but has protections to reduce its emissions and operates within its legal safety limit.

Taylor also confirmed the existing building, left over from the closed nursing home that previously occupied the land, will be demolished.

"We consulted with others who are part of our facilities planning work and considered possibilities that the building could allow," Taylor said. "Ultimately, we think the best possible and most economical use of the property is to start from a clean slate."

The announcement was accompanied by a video sent to students' families addressing limited practice space for athletics. Few plans are set for the site, although the district has confirmed it will not move the high school football field. The district website states architects are considering baseball and softball fields, a track, practice fields to accommodate different sports, tennis courts, a full athletic sports complex and outdoor learning spaces.

"It’s important to remember, too, that this isn’t just about athletics: By freeing up land on the Cassingham Complex, we will have multiple options to fix our undersized and outdated classrooms, as well as provide modern learning experiences for all of our students," Taylor said.

Fine said the next step is to consult with community members as they develop a plan for what the space will hold. He encouraged community members to keep an eye out for those opportunities, which the district website said will likely come in December or January.