Grove City council approves ordinance to halt further investment in Brook Park, seeks lease renegotiation with Southwestern Schools

Grove City Council on Monday voted to approve Ordinance C2225, which requires the city to stop further expenditure of staff time and financial resources at Brook Park beyond routine utilities and contractual obligations, and directs the city administrator to pursue termination or renegotiation of the lease with Southwestern City Schools.

Council members said the motion aims to preserve council oversight while the city continues planning for a community center and evaluates long-term uses of Brook Park. Supporters argued the ordinance protects taxpayers from open-ended spending on a property the city does not yet own; opponents urged using the building for arts and recreational programs that serve nearby neighborhoods.

The measure sparked a prolonged public-comment period and debate. Former councilman Roby Shockey urged the council to explore arts and recreation uses at Brook Park, noting the building includes classrooms, a gymnasium and a theater that local arts and senior groups could use. Jack Castle, identified as a parks official, and other parks staff described the facility’s potential to host additional programming while the city advances a separate community center project.

Mayor Stage and other speakers said the city and the school district had discussed a multi-year status-quo approach to Brook Park — including a five-year horizon to coordinate uses while the community center planning proceeds — but that the lease and related obligations made unlimited city-directed investment impracticable. The mayor noted that demolition would cost an estimated $1.3 million and that the district currently uses parts of the building for enrollment and other functions.

Councilmembers expressed differing priorities. Some members said they were not ready to authorize renovations or redeployment of city departments to Brook Park while the community center planning and finance work continues. Others said limited, targeted spending to enable community programming (theater shows, small classes, senior activities) might be justified and asked administration to return a short-term cost estimate.

Ordinance C2225 passed on a recorded vote: Anderson — yes; Wilson — yes; Houck — yes; Holt — yes; Berry — no; Du — no; Burrows — yes. Councilmembers who spoke during debate emphasized that the ordinance does not permanently foreclose future uses, but requires council approval before committing additional staff time or expenditures above the ordinance’s $10,000 contractual threshold.

The mayor and administration said they will continue discussions with Southwestern City Schools and work on options including renegotiation, termination or eventual purchase; the lease does include option language for purchase at nominal consideration under certain statutory steps.

Council President Hauck said the vote preserves oversight while allowing the city and schools to coordinate on use of the property as the community center planning continues.