By GLYNIS HART
[email protected]
CLAREMONT — Since Sullivan County withdrew its request to purchase the old Junior Sports League (JSL) building on School Street, the city is hoping a renewed interest in the building will improve its chances of being sold.
Sullivan County officials looked at the building as a possible site for sober transitional housing, both for inmates graduating from the TRAILS program at the jail and other community members who could use a safe, drug-free living space. However, neighbors responded negatively to the idea and the county withdrew its purchase request.
On March 20 the city’s planning and economic development department held an open house at the JSL, to solicit community input on what to do with the building.
“I think it was a great turnout,” said Nancy Merrill, director of planning and development for Claremont. “I think we had close to 80 or 90 people.”
The suggestions from attendees ranged from athletic facility to classrooms, housing, an art space, and a microbrewery. Merrill suggested that there might also be compatible uses so two businesses could operate in the JSL.
However, the building has been put out to bid before, without receiving any response. Built in 1931 as a National Guard Armory, renovated in 1950 and transferred to the city in 1960, the JSL’s assessed value is $702,900. The building is set in a residential neighborhood and has limited parking — an issue raised in the community forum about using it for transitional housing. It has prior building and life safety code violations, which indicate the presence of asbestos and lead. These would be the developer’s responsibility to mitigate.
“’We’re ready to put it out to bid again,” said Merrill at Wednesday’s city council meeting. “A lot of people walked through; maybe we could capture that interest.”
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