Wilson Center sale goes to Lansing developer
The Board of Education of St. Johns Public Schools on Monday evening approved the sale of the Wilson Center, the former Rodney B. Wilson School, to a Lansing developer who vowed to keep part of the facility for community use.
During a virtual Zoom meeting Board members voted unanimously to accept a $50,000 offer by Dymaxion Development to buy the Wilson Center which served as both a high school and middle school and now houses the school district’s alternative education, preschool and child care programs. Last year the company bought the former Holmes Street School in Lansing.
Dymaxion proposed building up to 72 housing units in the building and said it would allow the public to continue using the Wilson Center’s gym and newly renovated Wilson Auditorium under yearly leases of $1 each.
There were two other bidders for the former school building.
Developers Ken and Chris Harris, who recently renovated the F.C. Mason building on Railroad Street, offered to buy the Wilson Center for $25,129. They intended to restore many of the building’s original features while creating a mixed-use development that included housing.
Clinton County offered to buy the property for $500,000 on the condition the district demolish the building. Demolition would cost more than $1 million according to county and school officials.
Community members favored preserving what they consider an important piece of the area’s history, officials said. And administrators said the county bid was financially infeasible for the school district.
The Wilson Center was built in 1925 and named for young Rodney B. Wilson who died in the 1918 influenza pandemic. Land that included his grandmother Ball’s residence was donated to the school district for that purpose.
Board members acknowledged that today the building requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance. It costs around $100,000 to maintain the property. The school district now only uses a portion of the school for child care and alternative education.
SJPS to save $430,000 per year in utilities
St. Johns Public Schools is excited to announce its latest energy conservation measures. This spring, the Board of Education approved moving forward with updating, replacement, and repair of lighting and mechanical equipment at all buildings throughout the district. The district also will add supplemental solar power to each campus. The goal is to reduce energy cost, address needed capital repairs and remain current with mechanical systems.
The District currently spends approximately $1.2 million per year on utilities to operate its buildings. The energy upgrades are guaranteed to save the district at least $430,000 per year. The yearly energy savings will be used to pay off the $6.7 million dollars in energy bonds sold by the district to finance the project.
The solar power is anticipated to save the district an additional $748,000 over the next twenty five years.
When asked about the upgrades, Superintendent Mark Palmer said, “I am looking forward to staff and students benefiting from improved lighting options and better climate controls to support an optimal learning environment in every classroom.” Palmer also adds, “This is great for our students and great for our taxpayers as there are no additional taxes levied to complete these building upgrades.”
The project is set to begin in June and will come to completion in the summer of 2021.
FOMR May meeting cancelled
With the Governor’s continued executive order to stay home in response to COVID-19, it necessary to cancel the Friends of the Maple River meeting planned for Wednesday, May 20. They would also like to share Sleepy Hollow’s cancellation of its Youth Day.
Here’s to hoping the situation will improve in the near future and that they can still do their planned float trip on the river in July. Please stay tuned for details on that as the date draws closer. Take care everyone.
Superhero Parade salutes healthcare workers
with an album by Maralyn Fink
With the help of Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor’s amazing friend Heidi Scranton, there was a drive-by parade through the parking lot for the benefit of all residents and staff.
I attended the parade at Hazel Findlay and Clinton Commons on Wednesday. It was a beautiful day. A large attendance was on hand to honor the residents and employees.
The parade was led by the St Johns Police Department and also traveled to Grace Haven and Sparrow Clinton Hospital.
The parade consisted of emergency personnel, fire department and many decorated cars. It was a very moving moment for all involved. The residents were outside to give everyone a big wave.
Thanks to Amy Huff, Kari Sodman and Madison McIntyre for all your hard work and to everyone who came out.
ReStore to open May 28 at the earliest
Per the governors order, the earliest the ReStore can open for shopping and donations is May 28.
Thank for for your support, patience and understanding. They look forward to serving our community as soon as the ban on non essential businesses is lifted.
Thank you and stay safe!
Schlegel runs unopposed in race for the 29th Judicial Circuit
Attorney and Mediator Shannon Schlegel runs uncontested for Circuit Court Judge in Clinton and Gratiot Counties
Shannon Schlegel, Clinton County attorney and mediator, is slated to serve as the next Circuit Court Judge for Clinton and Gratiot Counties as she runs uncontested for the position in the 2020 election.
“I am truly humbled and honored by the support I have received to become the next Circuit Court Judge serving Clinton and Gratiot Counties,” said Shannon Schlegel, attorney and Circuit Court Judge candidate. “I look forward to serving the community in this new capacity.”
Schlegel is running to fill the seat of Judge Randy Tahvonen who is aged out of running for another term. The circuit includes all of Clinton and Gratiot Counties.
Schlegel owns her own law practice located in DeWitt where she focuses her practice in business, child welfare, civil litigation, estate planning, and family law. Schlegel also serves as a Case Evaluator for Civil Litigation Cases, and since 2009, has served as Special Prosecutor for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in Child Welfare Cases. She is very active in the community, having served on the DeWitt Township Zoning Board of Appeals and the Clinton County Agriculture Preservation Board. She currently serves on the Clinton County Planning Commission where she has served as the Chair since 2009. Schlegel is active in a variety of other civic and community volunteer organizations, as well.
Schlegel lives in Duplain Township with her husband and daughter.