Tuesday, December 18, 2007
If not purchased this year, the land will be sold for other purposes.
By MARC KOVAC
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS — The state Controlling Board signed off on plans by the Northeast Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy to buy nearly 50 acres in Portage County for $1.78 million.
The property is located just north of the Rootstown campus at 4255 state Route 44, south of Interstate 76.
The site is owned by a Helen B. Davis, Boston, and currently contains a circa-1860 house with 1,776 square feet of space and a detached two-car garage, according to documents.
Separate appraisals estimated the value of the property at $1.7 million.
NEOUCOM, which is landlocked on all four sides, will hold the property for future development.
“This is a rare opportunity for a landlocked public institution to purchase a large parcel of land at a reasonable price to assure the opportunity for a long-term growth and expansion of the NEOUCOM partnership,” according to documents. “… The owner would like to sell this property to NEOUCOM so that it will remain intact and ultimately benefit NEOUCOM and the Rootstown community.”
Documents add, “If this land is not purchased this year, it will be sold for other purposes, which may or may not be compatible with the best economic interests of the Rootstown and Portage County community and the significant role NEOUCOM has on the quality of life and economy of this area.”
mkovac@dixcom.com.