Newark City Schools launch into future at former State Farm building
NEWARK ― Some 18 months ago, Newark City Schools held a community forum, discussing the possible purchase of the former State Farm Insurance building on Granville Road.
Last June, the district officially bought the 325,000 square foot building for $2.2 million.
On Friday, NCS Digital and Newark pre-school students turned the first shovels of dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony, officially launching the project that will become their home in early 2024.
"In a little over a year from now, this building will be bustling with hundreds of pre-schoolers, NCS Digital will have newly-designed space with enhanced technology, and the technology department and Data Serve will be housed here," Newark school board president Tim Carr said. "Ohio State-Newark and COTC are already leasing 100,000 square feet and continuing the education theme."
Legat Architects has combined with Robertson Construction to take on the project.
"It's going to be a space of light, color and energy," said Dennis Paben, senior architect for Legat. "We're developing a vision for what this can be."
Superintendent David Lewis said Newark City Schools saw limitless possibilities for the district and community, providing flexibility for what happens in the future.
"Intel was not even in the discussion when we purchased it," he said.
The preschool will be in the area behind the Granville Road-facing entrance of the building, while NCS digital will have a separate entrance on the south side of the building. The 19 pre-school classrooms will take up 30,000 square feet, with 10,000 square feet for digital growth and 5,000 square feet for the technology department.
Interior demolition is currently underway in the building, with a goal of beginning construction by next January. Construction will not be complete until at least early 2024.
During construction, the building is still being used for multiple purposes. OSU-Newark and Central Ohio Technical College are leasing more than 100,000 feet for classrooms and office space, during a construction project on their campus. Newark City Schools is also using a portion of the building for professional development, Citizen of the Month meetings and other events.
Upon exploring purchase in 2021, the district saw the building as a cost effective way to provide much-needed space, while opening up other space across NCS buildings.
"To add to an existing facility for our needs would cost between $8 and $9 million," Lewis said last April at the community forum. "To build a stand alone facility would cost $11 to $12 million."
Currently, the district’s preschool program includes three units each at Hillview Elementary, Cherry Valley Elementary and Flying Colors, plus one unit at Head Start. A consolidated preschool will free up space at the elementary schools and allow the district to stop renting space at Flying Colors.
Prior to buying the building, the district completed a comprehensive financial analysis and building condition report. The building is in great condition, only needing roof repairs during the next 10 years, in addition to remodeling costs.
Remodeling costs for currently planned changes are estimated cost about $6.5 million. All of the cost for the purchase and remodeling for school-related purposes will be paid for through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds — not local tax dollars.
The district could break even on the purchase within nine years, by borrowing against permanent improvement dollars, refunding existing bonds to generate savings, building public/private partnerships, and using flexibility of district properties.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark City Schools launch into future at former State Farm building
