GCSC nearing sale of old bus barn

Having housed school buses from the mid-1940s through 2018, the old Greencastle Schools bus barn may soon be sold following the completion of a new transportation center.

Courtesy photo

After 74 years, the Greencastle Schools bus barn property could have a new owner as soon as last this week.

With the completion of a new transportation center on Tennessee Street last year, the old bus barn on Vine Street has been out of commission since the summer of 2018.

In the time since, the school corporation has been trying to find the right buyer for the property that includes the old bus barn, quonset hut and two other buildings.

Superintendent Jeff Hubble reported to the school board at its most recent meeting that there is an interested buyer, who is offering the corporation’s asking price.

Furthermore, the buyer, whom Hubble did not name, was paying to have two environmental studies done on the property.

The board gave its approval for Hubble and board member Dale Pierce close the deal, should the environmental tests come back clear.

On Tuesday, during a Community Conversation featuring himself and board members Mike White and Brian Cox, Hubble reiterated this point.

“We could close early in May, if everything comes through,” Hubble said.

The property includes multiple lots on both sides of the 300 block of North Vine Street.

The corporation initially sought two appraisals for the property and by law, could only sell it for an average of the two appraisals.

However, when no bids came in meeting these requirements, GCSC moved forward with a more conventional listing.

The property includes one lot that is not part of the sale. According to an agreement with the city, the current gravel lot has to return to being zoned residential once the school no longer owns it.

As such, Cox asked during the recent board meeting if a house might be built on the site utilizing Greencastle High School engineering and technology students.

“I don’t know if the classes are big enough to build a house, but it’s certainly an interesting discussion,” Hubble said.

Corporation attorney Bob Rund, who represents a number of other schools, spoke up and said that in order to do something of this nature, the school would have to set up a corporation specifically for the building projects.

Additionally, though the students could do some of the carpentry, someone would have to be brought in from outside to take care of matters such as electricity and plumbing.

Hubble said that another discussion had been considering the property for a Habitat for Humanity site. It might be possible to utilize the students in this sort of endeavor as well.