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Council to consider rescinding demolition approval for North City School for further study
Summary
A council member asked that the previously approved demolition of North City School be rescinded so the council can study adaptive reuse or redevelopment options; staff noted the property appraisal previously identified residential redevelopment as the highest and best use.
Athens — Council member requested that the council place a motion on the next meeting agenda to rescind a prior demolition approval for North City School so the city can evaluate alternatives to demolition, including potential redevelopment or guidance for residential reuse.
The council member argued demolition would waste roughly the roof investment and cited estimated demolition costs near a quarter million dollars. The member asked the council to “look further into other options” and referenced prior debate at a work session. A second council member noted the original appraisal of surplus school properties concluded the “highest and best use” was likely demolition followed by residential development, and urged careful study and outreach to potential developers to guide suitable residential investment.
Council discussion included possible next steps: rescind the demolition authorization (so it would no longer be scheduled), direct staff to prepare options including an RFP or development guidance, or allow the scheduled demolition to proceed. A council member said the manager will present an estimate at the next meeting; others asked that the item be formally added to the agenda for reconsideration. No formal vote to rescind was recorded in the transcript.
Action recorded in the meeting was a request to add a motion to the next meeting agenda to rescind the demolition authorization, plus direction for staff to provide cost/feasibility information for alternatives.
