Lancaster plan to buy former General Sherman Junior High building

The city will purchase the former General Sherman Junior High School building at 701 Union St. and property for $390,000 from Lancaster City Schools after the city council approved the sale.

The parks department will move its headquarters to the property and eventually its maintenance shop there, Mayor David Scheffler said. He said the former school building will also host street hockey, archery, roller skating, and activities.

Additionally, Scheffler said there is a plan for the Fairfield County Educational Service Center to use its classrooms.

The city will not demolish any part of the building.

The terms of the agreement will include payments of $78,000 per year for five years to Lancaster City Schools. The city water department's budget will cover the first three years of payment, while the final two years will be paid by the city parks and recreation department.

Lancaster: General Sherman students' first day back since March starts them at new building

"It's a major big deal for the parks and the west side community," Scheffler said. "The west side is somewhat without facilities. This, along with the coming of the Salvation Army headquarters, is going to make a huge difference to the near west side."

The former school building dates back to 1956.

"It will be a very versatile space for the parks," Scheffler said. "They can do programming that they haven't been able to do before. They never had a gym so they couldn't do programming like volleyball and basketball. So it's going to be a major step forward for the parks."

Additionally, some events at Miller Park like football and baseball can move to the Sherman fields if weather dictates it. However, Scheffler said the city is not closing Miller Park. Instead, it may open a splash pad there.

"No final decision has been made," Scheffler said. "But it's logical that that splash pad be by the Miller Park pool. And possibly a new skate park either in Miller Park or over at Sherman. Hopefully, as part of the new water treatment plant there can be some enhancements to Miller Park."

The city wants to start construction of a water treatment plant in November at Miller Park estimated to cost more than $60 million. Scheffler said the current water treatment plant may be preserved as a historic building.

While the city is apparently happy with the Sherman property, the LCS also seems to be.

“Our students and staff and their families utilize our city parks and recreation system," superintendent Nathan Hale said in a statement. "And working together on behalf of the betterment of our community as a whole is critical to success for our district.

“We are so proud to work with the city and the parks board to maximize the use of this former school building and the surrounding property to improve the quality of life for all Lancaster citizens."