SPS buys four properties north of Reed Academy to expand campus for new school building

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read

To make way for a new Reed middle school to be built, the Springfield district has been buying property just north of the existing campus.

Travis Shaw, deputy superintendent of operations, confirmed this week that the district has finalized the purchase of three properties — spending a total of $519,500 and is expected to close on the fourth and final property Oct. 31, at which time that price will be disclosed.

"Those were the only four that we felt were needed for the project," he said.

The new Reed Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, a $59.4 million project, is funded as part of the $220 million bond issue approved by voters in April.

Demolition of the existing middle school, which opened in the early 1920s, started this week and is expected to take up to 60 days.

By purchasing the four properties — located in the 2000 blocks of North Campbell Avenue and North Lyon Avenue — will add "just shy of one acre" to the 5.5-acre middle school campus.

"All but one had people actually living in them," Shaw said.

The purchase prices ranged from $125,000 to $230,000, which was based on their fair market value, and Shaw said the fourth one is "comparable."

The district has long owned lots that sit on the east side of Lyon Avenue.

Shaw said the larger campus gave the district more flexibility to build a middle school to the size and scope that was originally planned.

The demolition of Reed Academy, a middle school at Lyon Avenue and Atlantic Street, has started.
The demolition of Reed Academy, a middle school at Lyon Avenue and Atlantic Street, has started.

He said the extra space was needed to adequately manage water runoff, detention and retention pools, parking and bus and vehicle pickup and drop-off lanes.

"We had to increase the size of our parking and that is what the two properties on Lyon will do for us," he said.

A recent presentation from Sapp Design Architects to the school board showed plans for a school that has 128,900 square feet, which is roughly 40,000 square feet larger than the school being demolished.

Shaw said the newer home at 2041 N. Lyon Ave. — the property the district will close on at the end of the month — will be relocated. Any other structures will be demolished.

More: SPS won't build new Pipkin school on Pythian Street after concerns raised by public, BNSF

Four properties near Reed

The Springfield school board has approved the purchase of four residential properties just north of Reed Academy and three of the sales have been finalized. Here is the location and cost of each:

  • 2037 N. Campbell Ave. − $230,000;

  • 2041 N. Campbell Ave. − $164,500;

  • 2037 N. Lyon Ave. − $125,000;

  • 2041 N. Lyon Ave. − Amount will be disclosed after Oct. 31 closing.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: SPS buys properties north of Reed Academy for campus expansion