(Chelsea Update would like to thank Julie Helber for the information in this story.)
As you are aware, IHA (Integrated Health Associates), alongside St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, made a unique offer to purchase Chelsea School District property on the corner of Freer and Old U.S. 12 to build a 30,000-square-foot comprehensive medical office building.
The opportunity before us is not something that comes along often for a school district. This proposal is something that the school district would benefit from both financially and through a partnership with a well-established and quality medical service facility.
This has presented an important decision for the Chelsea Board of Education as they represent the citizens of the Chelsea community and seek to make decisions that are in the best interest of the school district.
The board and central administration have had many conversations on this matter and our community has spoken out both in support and with questions and concerns about this proposal.
Our members of the Board of Education and I have received calls, emails and have been monitoring public posts from our community with questions, concerns and encouragement about the sale of this property and the overall impact it may have on the City of Chelsea.
We would like to thank the community for their input.
With that said, representatives from IHA contacted me this week to indicate that they value their long-standing relationships with both the city of Chelsea and its residents, and do not wish to adversely impact those relationships by moving forward with the school land purchase without full support from the community.
For this reason, the IHA has decided to step away from their offer and look for an alternative site that the community can fully support.
We do feel this is a lost opportunity for the board to consider for the Chelsea School District but understand IHA’s position and respect their decision admirably.
We hope that the citizens of Chelsea support the efforts of IHA moving forward as they continue investing in our community.
Thank you IHA for realizing how important this property is to the community.
Why would not the Chelsea school district sell this albatross of a piece of property that can’t use or fill with students. Ask taxpayers we’re still paying for the building of the school that was soon closed. As a tax payer why would we not want this non-taxed piece of property go on the to be a tax rolls piece property.. If they don’t sell this one delicious sell the old high school. Chelsea school district owes too much land for the small community.
Douglas,
The school was never going to be sold, only a portion of the athletic fields which are used. Selling the land would have been a mistake as it would have deprived the community of green space, an important set of fields, and a great entranceway to the town. It also would have meant more traffic for that corner. Selling the Washington Street Education Center would be a horrible idea given the role it plays for seniors, students involved in our drama programs, etc.. These resources are one of the things that sets Chelsea (the town and the schools) apart, and they are assets that I am willing to pay to keep and enhance.
Sam