Wichita City Council members have voted unanimously to delay action on an option agreement for the purchase of a former elementary school building for use as a facility for the homeless.
Since the Wichita school board voted Monday night to delay action until their June 27th meeting, city staff recommended a delay by the City Council on the agreement. The Council will consider the agreement again at their regular meeting on July 2nd, unless the school board takes action sooner in a special meeting. The Council could then take action in a regular or special meeting.
Assistant city manager Troy Anderson said there are still some steps the city can take in the meantime to prepare for the development of the recently-closed Park Elementary School for use as a Multi-Agency Center for the homeless. Anderson said the city is planning another open house to get input from the community, and staff can continue to meet with local agencies that would be involved in providing services through the center.
The school board has to declare the building as surplus property and then take action on the agreement with Wichita. The state then has to be notified of the action. If the state’s legislative coordinating council allows the agreement to move forward, the city would purchase the building from the school district for $1.00.
