By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- With the sale of the Ferry Street School building, Niles Community Schools Board of Education made a decision that may ultimately improve the quality of life in the City of Niles.
At Tuesday night's meeting, the board approved the sale of the building to the Greater Niles Community Development Corp. for $1.
In a proposed plan for the city's community development block grant, the acquisition of this historic building called for it to be used as a possible neighborhood center.
Tim Batton, executive director of the community development corporation, said they will not determine a definite use for the building until they receive feedback from the surrounding community members, who will ultimately use the resource.
The Greater Niles Community Development Corporation is a non-profit organization with a mission to eliminate substandard housing in the city and the socioeconomic conditions that it perpetuates.
Batton said by acquiring this valuable property and turning it into a community resource, it will directly address these socioeconomic conditions and subsequently improve quality of life in the area.
Niles Community Schools superintendent Doug Law was pleased that the plans for the building aim to positively impact the Niles community.
The community development corporation is currently getting estimates on the necessary repairs to the building, which include some water damage to the interior and some roof work on the exterior.
Batton expects some renovation work to begin later this summer.
He said some possible funding for the renovations may come from the community development block grant if it is approved by the city council.
Law said the district could not afford to make the repairs that the building required and is pleased that the building will remain an asset to the community.
The school was opened in 1868 as Niles' school for "colored children" and then closed in 1870 when the school system became integrated. It reopened a few years later as an integrated school.
From 1956 to 1975, the facility served as the district's School for Exceptional Children.
The building was then restored as a nineteenth century classroom and it was most recently used by the district for historical field trips. There is also some office space in the school that has not been used for about seven years.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board announced its appointment of officers for the 2004-2005 school year. The board accepted the following officers, which were selected by a nominating committee: President Jerry French, Vice President John Mattix Jr., Secretary Dana Daniels and Treasurer Scott Tyler.
The board also approved a paving bid from the Dowagiac-based Chorba Construction and Excavating for $48,068 for the expansion at Cedar Lane Alternative School.
The construction is being done to allow the school to expand from 60 students to 80 students next year.