Community First won't get to buy historic school
10:24 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2008
A local group will not be allowed to buy historic Sumner School.
The city says Community First did not meet the requirements to continue with a contract to buy the building.
City Spokesman David Bevens said there were three requirements for this contract.
A zoning change application, a plan detailing how community first would maintain the building and how it planned to come up with the $3.6 million to buy the building.
Bevens says the group didn't come up with any of them.
"We're giving hope to this city," said Community First member Sandra Lassiter as she turned in the paperwork Friday afternoon. "We are adamant that we will restore this building."
She hoped the papers filed Friday would help her group buy the historic Sumner School.
Late Friday night however, 49 News found out the papers are not enough.
To turn rundown Sumner school into a community center, Community First needed a zoning change application, a detailed plan for the building and $3.6 million.
"We have done what they've asked us to do," Lassiter said.
But the city says the documents are incomplete.
City Spokesman David Bevens issued this statement saying: "The documents have been reviewed. The requirements have not been met and the agreement will expire as of tomorrow."
"I would think we would all be very excited that you have accomplished this," Lassiter said. "This has been a monumental task. And I think we've been valiant in what we've been been asked to do and professional, you know. I just thought he'd celebrate with me and say, Sandy, were going to move this forward, but, as you saw that just didn't happen."
So where does that leave Sumner School?
Spokesman David Bevens says the city would still like to sell the building, but has stopped the process of taking bids for now.
Continue to watch 49 News to see how this story develops.
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