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Step one in reuse of Nippenose School property is taken

It turns out the Nippenose Valley Elmentary School, closed two and a half years ago, is valuable to someone.

A local contractor bid $470,000 to successfully buy the school at a recent auction.

Of course, that’s only part one of the story. What happens now to the building?

Troy Musser, the contractor who bought the building, said his top wish would be to establish a 20-year lease with the school district to reopen the school.

There was an outcry when the school was closed, but what has changed in the school district that would prompt reopening of the school? That’s the question that has to be answered before the district can entertain recommitting to the school.

We love the backup plan of a farmers market, a day care and an elderly home, all uses that have lots of practical application.

The entire school property has more than 20 tillable acres off Route 44 and the contractor intends to involve the Amish community in use of the land.

Successful reuse of vacated school buildings is not a given. The sale of the building is a first big step.

Practical reuse of the building and property is an even bigger hurdle that we hope is met.

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