FARMINGTON -- With plans to build a new public works facility, the city of Farmington has approached Farmington schools about its interest in purchasing city property located next to the high school's softball field on Rheas Mill Road.
Bryan Law, school superintendent, tossed out the idea to Farmington School Board members at their July 27 meeting.
Law said Mayor Ernie Penn has offered to sell the city's current public works building and grounds to the school for $50,000.
"They say there's two acres there," Law said at the school board meeting. "I'm not sure there is two acres there but it is a good building."
He noted he does not have any immediate plans to use the building, nor does the school have money to "fix it up," but acknowledged there are ways the building would benefit the high school.
Jeff Oxford, school board president, wondered about using the building to offer classes in auto and diesel mechanics.
"If we are truly committed to moving in this direction with our high school (to offer more technical classes), I think we have to do it," Oxford said, pointing out the school could not construct a similar building for $50,000. "We probably need to explore the opportunity."
Law considers the offer a fair one and said he would continue discussions with the city and bring back additional information to the Aug. 24 board meeting.
The city of Farmington is considering a new master plan for Creekside Park that includes an area for a new public works facility located along Broyles Avenue. City officials have listed a new facility as a priority for the department.
Floyd Shelley, public works director, said the building on Rheas Mill Road has between 4,000-5,000 square feet. It was built in 1985 for the fire department. Public works moved into it in 2003 after the city constructed a new fire station on Main Street, according to fire Chief Mark Cunningham.
Public works has "totally outgrown" its space, Shelley said. The biggest problem, though, is that the building is located in the middle of the school campus and next to the baseball and softball fields.
"When school is in session, we can't get out of the building until after 8 (a.m.) because of traffic," Shelley said. The same problem occurs when schools let out at 3 p.m. During softball and baseball games, vehicles are parked all around the building.
School traffic causes a "downtime factor" on work progress, Shelley added.
He said the city does not have a time frame or a cost estimate for building a new facility on Broyles Street. The master plan for Creekside Park sets aside about four acres for a building and land around it. The city would use street funds or other monies to pay for the building but Shelley said a decision has not been made on how the city would pay for it.
General News on 08/05/2015