Two former Massillon City Schools properties hit the auction block. Who bought them?

MASSILLON – More Habitat for Humanity homes are coming to the city.

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio purchased the former Emerson Elementary School property at 724 Walnut Ave. SE on Wednesday during an auction.

About 25 people attended an Kiko-led auction that featured the sale of the 2.3 vacant lot Emerson property and the former Bowers Elementary property.

Habitat's winning bid was $70,000. The purchase includes a 10% buyer's premium, bringing the total purchase price to $77,000.

The need for affordable housing continues to grow, Beth Lechner, chief executive officer for Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, said.

Habitat buys former Massillon City Schools land

"We're thrilled to have acquired the former Emerson property on Walnut Avenue," she said. "This property comes at a crucial time as the need for affordable housing continues to grow throughout our community. At Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, we have many hardworking Massillon families in our program who are eagerly waiting to build their homes."

The acquisition allows the organization to build several affordable single-family homes, which families will help build and purchase with 0% interest mortgages, she added.

"But this property is about more than just houses - it's also about strengthening the Massillon community," Lechner added. "When Habitat families purchase and move into their new homes on this property, they'll become active residents in the Massillon community. They'll pay property taxes, contribute to the local economy, and their children will learn and develop in Massillon City Schools. This is the impactful cycle of community investment and growth at Habitat for Humanity."

In the past few years, Habitat has constructed several homes in the city. Construction is underway on at least four new homes along Tremont Avenue.

Bowers Elementary property sale

The Bowers property , at 1041 32nd St. NW, garnered the most attention with as many as five bidders starting the process. The sale included 9.8 acres of vacant land with access on 32nd Street and Vindell Avenue and is zoned residential. Sewer and water services are available.

Kiko sought an opening bid of $200,000 but bidding began at $50,000. It quickly grew to more than $200,000. At that point, bidders began to drop out. Two parties went back and forth until they reached the highest bid. The final price was $330,000, which included the 10% buyer's premium.

The winning bidder declined to provide his name but said the plan is to use the land for personal use.

The two schools, along with Smith Elementary School, closed in 2011 as part of a cost-savings plan. The district had been placed in fiscal caution and projected a $5 million deficit by 2013.

Emerson was demolished in 2012. The school was built in 1938 and underwent renovations in 1958 and 1985.

The 34,000-square-foot Bowers school was built in 1964 and razed in July 2015. Smith is now home to district administrative offices and the preschool.

The Massillon City Schools Board of Education must give final approval to the winning bids. They meet at 5 p.m. July 31 at the administrative offices.

After the auction, Auctioneer George Kiko said the purchase prices are in line with the tax values of the properties.

"There was a nice turnout," he said. "It is a good long-term investment and eventually there will be some tax base coming back."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Two former Massillon City Schools properties hit the auction block. Who bought them?