Charters get first dibs to buy city school
But $5.23 million price tag for old Northwest Career Center is steep
BY BILL BUSH
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Charter schools have long complained that they can't buy any of Columbus City Schools' vacant buildings. Now, their wait is over.
The only catch: $5.23 million, which the district says is the appraised, fair-market value of the 70,500-square-foot former Northwest Career Center.
The Columbus Board of Education voted last night to begin the process of selling the building at 2960 Cranston Dr. Built in 1976 near Dublin, it was declared surplus earlier this year, one of three vocational schools shuttered by the district in favor of two Downtown career centers.
By state law, charter schools will get first dibs on the property, which sits on 15 acres in a residential area west of Don Scott Field.
In early January, every charter school in Columbus will receive a certified letter giving them 60 days to accept the price. If no charter school submits an