STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY - College Heights residents want to ensure the future of a neighboring building.
In the past, the State College Area School District has discussed selling the College Heights School Property, but neighbors want to be sure the district honors the deed covenant saying the building will be used for educational purposes only.
They say so far, their questions have gone unanswered.
The College Heights School property sits along North Atherton Street in State College.
"It's a happy, residential neighborhood and that was the intent when the land was deeded in the 20's," Donna Queeney said.
Queeney is a member of the College Heights Association. She says last year, the school district came to the group to ask their concerns about the property because they wanted to sell it. But now, Queeney says that issue has become much bigger.
"Whether they intend to sell it or not, they need to acknowledge, for the peace of mind of the neighbors, particularly those who live close to the school, acknowledge that yes, there is a covenant, and yes, they recognize it and they will abide by that," she said.
And Queeney says for months that has been the question posed to the district, but one that has gone unanswered.
"All we really want is a simple answer to a simple question," she said.
"Acknowledging the covenant, I think that's a question in regard to legal documents regarding the property," State College Area School District Superintendent Bob O'Donnell said. "I think we understand the documents exist, what's in the documents, so acknowledging that, I think, is reasonable."
O'Donnell says at this point, the district has no intent to sell the property, and even in the future, as long as the building is continued to be used for educational purposes, there should be no issues.
"We are considering what other needs we have educationally in the district and the College Heights facility could come into those conversations," he said.
O'Donnell says for now, the property will remain as is for administrative purposes and the board will discuss when to talk about other plans in the future.
In the past, the State College Area School District has discussed selling the College Heights School Property, but neighbors want to be sure the district honors the deed covenant saying the building will be used for educational purposes only.
They say so far, their questions have gone unanswered.
The College Heights School property sits along North Atherton Street in State College.
"It's a happy, residential neighborhood and that was the intent when the land was deeded in the 20's," Donna Queeney said.
Queeney is a member of the College Heights Association. She says last year, the school district came to the group to ask their concerns about the property because they wanted to sell it. But now, Queeney says that issue has become much bigger.
"Whether they intend to sell it or not, they need to acknowledge, for the peace of mind of the neighbors, particularly those who live close to the school, acknowledge that yes, there is a covenant, and yes, they recognize it and they will abide by that," she said.
And Queeney says for months that has been the question posed to the district, but one that has gone unanswered.
"All we really want is a simple answer to a simple question," she said.
"Acknowledging the covenant, I think that's a question in regard to legal documents regarding the property," State College Area School District Superintendent Bob O'Donnell said. "I think we understand the documents exist, what's in the documents, so acknowledging that, I think, is reasonable."
O'Donnell says at this point, the district has no intent to sell the property, and even in the future, as long as the building is continued to be used for educational purposes, there should be no issues.
"We are considering what other needs we have educationally in the district and the College Heights facility could come into those conversations," he said.
O'Donnell says for now, the property will remain as is for administrative purposes and the board will discuss when to talk about other plans in the future.
