Former Clinton school buildings attract attention

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By Dave Vickers | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 12:54 AM CST | () comments

CLINTON, Iowa—Some interested bidders are vying for the former Elijah Buell and Horace Mann school buildings in Clinton, left vacant with the opening of the new Eagle Heights Elementary School.

The school board heard from the interested parties at Monday’s meeting.

The Clinton Area Substance Abuse Council has submitted a $25,000 bid for the Horace Mann Elementary School building. Paul Willging of New Directions said the agency has outgrown its facility in downtown Clinton and is interested in developing the property as a human services or community service campus to house New Directions and other local agencies.

Willging said they would invest up to $1.5 million in the property.

Rick Conner bid $5,000 for the Elijah Buell property. He said he recently purchased school property in Fenton, Ill., and has developed it into a senior citizen assisted living facility. Under his concept, residents have a say in the property, and he has the same plans for the Clinton site.

The school board set public hearings for March 10 on the two proposals to have public input before finalizing any sale.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.