Jacksonville School District 117 officials are looking at options for property the district has bought adjacent to Lincoln Elementary School.
The board approved the purchase last month of a building and property at 350 W. Independence Ave. after the property went to auction in September.
Superintendent Steve Ptacek said the property contains an aging building, formerly a church, but has been vacant for several years.
“We want to do something with the building and the community,” Ptacek said. “We don’t just want an empty building just sitting there deteriorating.”
The school district bought the property at auction for $8,500.
Ptacek said the board still has to decide what it wants to do with the property. Options include renovating the building and using it or demolishing the building and converting the space into extra parking or finding another use for it.
“We want to make sure we are being responsible with the taxpayers’ money when we decide what actions to take with the property,” Ptacek said.
The superintendent said he also wants to make sure it doesn’t become a danger to anyone who might walk through or try to enter the building.
“The building is aging and we’re not sure of its condition, so we have to look at all of our options,” he said.
