Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
District approves sale of building
Former Elwood M. Spellman Administration Building sold for $4.25 million
WEST CHESTER » The West Chester Area School District School Board has approved the sale of the former Elwood M. Spellman Administration Building at 829 Paoli Pike in West Chester for $4.25 million. The building was purchased by Ohio developer Stanberry, West Goshen, LLC, which is seeking approvals with West Goshen Township before formulating a final site development plan.
In June 2017, district officials decided to relocate to the new Spellman Education Center, located at 782 Springdale Drive in Exton, after extensive analysis revealed it would cost $5.7 million to make the necessary renovations and additions to bring the Spellman building up to code. The purchase and retrofitting of the Springdale Drive location cost $4.7 million.
District Superintendent Jim Scanlon said the money for the move was set aside in a capital savings fund, so it had no impact on taxpayers.
“The money from the sale will be rolled back into the capital savings fund to continue necessary renovations to buildings within
the district,” said Scanlon.
The district will make an additional $250,000 by leasing the building for one year to West Chester Borough. All West Chester Municipal Government Services will operate out of 829 Paoli Pike beginning on Dec. 21, 2017, while Borough Hall undergoes renovations.
“By leasing the old Spellman building during the year-long due diligence period
that the buyer must go through, the board is maximizing revenue generated from the sale of this building,” said School Board President Chris McCune. “It is a good business deal for the taxpayers of our community.”
The Spellman Administration Building was owned by the district for 93 years and in recent years encountered flooding issues, compliance problems with federal laws, infrastructure problems, and heating and ventilation concerns. The building was built in 1924 and had permanent additions
added on in 1952 and 1957. Portable trailer units were added in 1977 and 1999.
The building was named after Elwood M. Spellman, a West Chester dentist, who was the first president of the West Chester Area School District Board from 1958-1968. He was also a member of the West Chester Joint High School Board from 1951-1969. His daughter, Susan Spellman Tiernan, is the current vicepresident of the West Chester Area School District School Board and a former teacher and administrator in the district.