Wheeling CCSD 21 board approves two property purchases and conversion of Gill administration building to district storage

Wheeling CCSD 21’s Board of Education on Jan. 16 approved the purchase of two properties for consideration as an early learning center and authorized work to convert the Gill administration building into district storage.

The board voted to purchase 2836 East Hintz Road for $350,000 and 2840–2844 Eastchinch Road for $540,000. Both purchases passed on voice/roll-call votes during the meeting. The board also approved bids to convert the front portion of the Gill administration building into roughly 5,000 square feet of temperature-controlled storage and approved the construction manager fee structure related to that work.

The district said converting Gill will allow it to eliminate costly outside storage rentals and onsite containers. Michael (district staff) described the intended storage layout: the front offices will be gutted to the shell (removing nonstructural drywall), a lift will move items between floors to reduce risk of staff injury, smaller rooms will hold supplies, and larger open areas will hold furniture and paper records. He said the facility will be kept temperature controlled to avoid damage to stored items and that some outdoor concrete/brick structures will remain in place for bulky items at other buildings.

Michael summarized the financial rationale: “It is insane how costly the leases for that storage space is,” he said, characterizing the district’s analysis that owning and converting existing space is more economical than continuing to lease units on the commercial market.

Votes at a glance: - Purchase: 2836 East Hintz Road — motion passed (vote recorded on the floor; roll-call included board members calling yes/aye; motion carries). Purchase price stated in meeting: $350,000. - Purchase: 2840–2844 Eastchinch Road — motion passed; purchase price stated in meeting: $540,000. - Bids to convert Gill administration building to district storage — motion passed; board approved the recommended bids. - Construction manager fee structure for the Gill conversion — motion passed.

Board members asked for clarifications before the votes. Michael confirmed that the former boardroom and several other rooms in Gill will remain in use and that the conversion targets the office wing that formerly housed administrators. He also confirmed the second-floor structure was previously reinforced and can accept heavier loads in parts of the space.

The board’s action removes the need for ongoing rental of commercial storage and onsite containers used during recent construction and operations, the district said. No funding sources or budget line items were detailed during the floor discussion beyond the vote items on the agenda.

The board’s recorded votes were taken aloud during roll call for each motion; recorded abstentions and aye/yes votes were entered into the meeting record.

Ending: The approved purchases and Gill conversion move forward subject to the contract terms approved at the meeting and any closing requirements for the property purchases. The district indicated staff will follow up on scheduling and vendor coordination for the conversion work.