A public hearing for the sale of Lincoln School is expected to draw at least 50 Crestonians to the Creston City Council meeting Tuesday evening.
Thus, city officials have already moved the meeting — in its entirety — from the council chambers to the mealsite located on the first level of the restored Creston Depot.
“The maximum occupancy in the council chambers is 49,” said Creston Mayor Warren Woods. “We moved the meeting (to the mealsite) because of the anticipated number of people.”
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. The public hearing is the second to last item on the agenda.
Details
This public hearing was set on Aug. 8 by the council after Seldin Company of Omaha, Neb., offered $10,000 to purchase Lincoln School. The company wants to refurbish the old school into elderly housing. (See related story on page 2A for more details on their proposed project).
Of course, this possible purchase is unwelcome news for Creston Library Board who is in the middle of fundraising efforts to transform Lincoln School into the city’s new library. Their supporters are expected to attend this hearing in full force.
Woods said everyone will get to speak at the hearing. As usually, he asks that each speaker come to the podium, give their full name and address for the record and limit remarks to three minutes.
“My intent is to let everyone speak that wants to,” Woods said. “I’m pretty committed to that because this is different than other public hearings for things like policy changes. This is a hearing for a piece of property that’s important to everyone. We just ask for civility, please.”
After all have spoken Tuesday, the council will vote for or against selling Lincoln School to Seldin Company. The News Advertiser will have results from that vote along with additional coverage in the following areas:
You can follow the meeting/hearing live by following @k_wilson85 on Twitter. An initial story will be posted Tuesday evening at www.crestonnews.com. And, an expanded story will be published in Wednesday's News Advertiser.