By J.T. WHITEHOUSE

Staff writer

POLAND — It was standing room only as Poland residents packed the auditorium at Poland Union Elementary on Wednesday to hear one possible plan to save the building from demolition.

“Back in June we had 57 combinations of what to do with our seven properties,” Poland School Superintendent Craig Hockenberry said before the joint meeting with Poland Village Council.

The plan presented involves selling Union Elementary for $1 to the Western Reserve Port Authority, who would then sell it to a developer. The developer would then convert the historic school building into a luxury apartment building. Ryan Smalley, who worked with Poland Village on its comprehensive plan, said the plan being presented helped fill the desire to save the building.

“It doesn’t look like Poland Union will continue to be used as a school in the future,” Smalley said. “The recommendation in the strategic plan was to go out to developers to see what ideas they could come up with.”

Smalley showed examples of other historic buildings around Ohio that were converted into apartments. He gave examples of downtown Youngstown sites Erie Terminal Place, Wick Tower and the Stambaugh Hotel, which were all repurposed historic structures.

Hockenberry said the building costs more than $50,000 just to own it. He said that doesn’t include maintenance and upkeep. Smalley added that as a school building, it would not bring in any tax dollars, but as a luxury apartment building, it would bring in approximately $150,000 in taxes per year.

Smalley continued to showcase the plan that was put together with Poland Union Property Group, Envision Group and the Western Reserve Port Authority. Under one proposal, the school district would sell Union to the Western Reserve Port Authority, who would turn it over to a developer. That developer could apply for state and federal historic preservation funds to turn it into an apartment complex.

Smalley said it would have 28 apartments ranging from single bedroom at 864 to 950 square feet, two bedroom at 1,100 to 1,150 square feet and a three bedroom at 1,300 square feet.

“The average cost would be $1,500 (per month),” he said, noting the larger units could be $1,750 or $2,000 per month.

Smalley also said it would bring and retain talented individuals in Poland who would contribute to the overall economy.

Patrick Burgan from Burgan Realty said, “For every door created, there will be a $5.9 million impact on Poland. One thing we have a need for is to keep people here and attract people who will start new businesses. We feel this is the best use for the building.”

Historic Building Preservationist Wendy Naylor said the idea to turn Union into a luxury apartment building would make it a good candidate for a 20 percent federal tax credit and a 35 percent state tax credit. As an apartment building, it would be eligible for the credits for up to five years. She said after that it could be turned into a condo complex and the apartments could be sold.

Resident Becky Rigney said, “If the school board is going to sell Union for a dollar, then how can they come back and ask for a levy.”

Poland Board of Education President Troy Polis said the board has specific laws it must abide by and they could not do the project alone. Selling it to the Port Authority for $1 allows them to proceed with this idea. Otherwise, there is a risk the building could be turned into a charter school, which might compete with the Poland School District.

Polis closed the meeting by assuring all in attendance that the plan presented at the meeting was just an idea.

He said, “This is not a done deal. We are not taking any action on this tonight. This was simply presented as an option for people to consider.”

Hockenberry said there will be more meetings and presentations in the future.

jtwhitehouse@vindy.com