An initial domino fell in July towards taking a step towards eventual construction of a new facility for the Greene County Early Learning Center in Jefferson.

The Greene County School Board approved at their meeting on July 21st to sell a portion of the district’s property on South Vine Street, which is the location of where the new Early Learning Center will be built. Superintendent Tim Christensen explains the details behind the Board’s approval.

“We sold them a piece of that land that they (GCELC) will start construction on. Then after they’re completed with that construction, we will tear down the existing administration building, and then also work to get them the rest of that land. So they would have a portion of that block.”

The School Board approved the sale for $1 to GCELC. Christensen points out the district is continuing to lease the current facility to the Early Learning Center. Then the Jefferson City Council approved at their meeting on July 27th a plat of survey for the newly acquired property from the school district to prepare it for eventual construction. 

Christensen talks about why the initial piece of property had to be sold to the Early Learning Center to get the ball rolling.

“They didn’t want to build a building on someone else’s property and we did not also feel comfortable in giving them a piece of property that we had a building on, then they wanted us to come back and demolish. So we kind of basically met in the middle and split that and sold it to them for a dollar, a portion of the property, so they could go ahead with building their facility.”

GCELC Board President Jacque Andrew told the School Board that the project cost has slightly increased to $2.1 million with contingencies. Bid documents have been sent to potential contractors, with anticipation of receiving proposals by August 5th.