Affect the Projected New Hoops and Football Plans?

[Captain Kangaroo]

University may bid on Central-Hower

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UA has shown interest in expanding onto site, which sits on edge of campus; details must be discussed

The University of Akron long has eyed the Central-Hower High School property to expand its campus.

Now that the building might go on the market, UA would be a likely bidder.

``Certainly from a land use point of view, it's something we would like to acquire,'' said Roy Ray, vice president for business and finance at UA.

``The devil is in the details,'' Ray said Tuesday. He said the university doesn't know what the property would cost or how it would finance such a purchase.

Monday, Akron Public Schools said Central-Hower -- which sits at the northern edge of the UA campus -- is among nine schools that may close to meet state requirements for the district's construction program.

Ray said he doesn't know what UA would be willing to pay for the property. The university would get at least two appraisals before going forward with negotiations. Additionally, he said, UA would not seek to buy the property without first making sure such a purchase does not conflict with city plans.

Ted Curtis, UA's vice president for capital planning and facilities management, said the university has no specific plans for the property. However, he said, the additional space would allow UA to tear down old buildings that are costly to operate.

``We can use the physical facilities there, the gymnasium there,'' Curtis said. ``There are a lot of departments that we can move into there.''

Akron Superintendent Sylvester Small said there have been no discussions with UA. He said that if Central-Hower were to close, the district would use it to house students from other high schools while those buildings are being renovated.

Small said he would be willing to talk with UA officials.

``We are open to all kinds of creative ideas,'' he said. ``We at least have to listen to folks.''

In 1994, the university expressed an interest in buying Central-Hower and turning it into a student services building. The price was pegged at $16 million to $18 million.

The Akron school board initially seemed to be leaning toward the sale, to help reduce the system's then $21 million debt. But board members eventually decided against any sale, saying a poll showed it would work against passage of a levy that was on the May 1994 ballot.

(Last year, UA opened a new student services building across College Street from the high school.)

In 2002, talk again arose about a possible sale. That was when Akron school officials began developing plans for the district-wide construction project. Officials said then that Central-Hower had relatively few students living nearby.

After hearing from residents, however, the board voted to keep the school.

A public meeting to discuss Central-Hower's future will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the school auditorium on South Forge Street.