Corcoran High School just got some room to expand, thanks to the purchase of several acres of property located just west of the campus.
The local school district recently completed purchase of the Karl Smith property, located on Diary Ave., for $425,000, according to Superintendent Rich Merlo. The land encompasses more than 12 acres.
Since construction of the Technology Learning Center (TLC) ate up much of the open land on the high school campus, the school has found itself landlocked for many types of construction. Adding 12 acres could provide some breathing room.
Merlo said current plans call for additional parking lots, along with playing and practice fields for athletics to occupy the new property. A new school building—he did not specify what type—could also be added.
“This provides us an excellent opportunity to expand,” noted Merlo. “We are leaving all options open.” The district has also received some help with costs. A federal grant of about $80,000 helped defray the cost of soil sampling required on the property—and the district got good news. While a small amount of clean-up will have to be conducted, the district will have to complete very little beyond tearing down buildings currently on the site.
In the short term, Merlo said a 10-foot sidewalk and landscaping will be added in preparation for further construction. Lights will also spring up around the property.
In upcoming months, residents will see the current buildings come down and the land prepared for clean-up according to the report received from the Department of Toxicology.
The land will also be available should the district decide it needs a new school site, said Merlo. And depending on the number of students in Corcoran, combined with the number of new housing units (there currently is a new housing subdivision construction underway), the district could apply for and receive a state grant that could provide about 50 percent of the construction costs.
“The board is excited about this new purchase. We feel we are heading in the right direction,” Merlo commented.
The property was purchased with developer fees the district has collected as a result of new housing construction in the community.
