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Zion council OKs 99-year lease to host Start Early early-childhood center
Summary
The council approved a 99-year lease of District 6 land to Start Early to build an early-intervention/early-childhood facility; the city will convey the land from the district with a reversion clause if the school stops operating and the tenant will assume capital and liability responsibilities.
The Zion City Council voted to approve a 99-year lease that paves the way for Start Early to build a new early-intervention and early-childhood education facility on land conveyed from Elementary School District 6.
City staff described the arrangement as an administrative step that allows the district to convey land to the city, which in turn may enter a long-term lease with Start Early. A city representative said the lease includes language that would revert the property to District 6 if the school ceases operations and that the tenant would carry capital costs, indemnification and day-to-day liabilities.
Administrator David told the council the decision is the result of a multi-year effort involving the city, Start Early and District 6 to secure a site west of Central for an early-intervention school. "This is just formalizing the intent of that process," he said, recommending council approval.
Councilors voted in favor of the lease during the meeting after a motion and second; the clerk recorded affirmative votes from the attending commissioners.
The lease formalizes the parties' roles: the city accepted conveyance of the land so it could enter a longer-term lease than a school district could provide, while Start Early will be responsible for fundraising, capital investment and operating obligations. If the project moves ahead, the city and the district will oversee the reversion language written into the conveyance.
The council's approval allows the city to execute the lease and continue coordination with District 6 and Start Early on project details and timelines.
