By Mark Boshnack
The former Sidney Center Elementary School building has been placed on the market.
The price is listed at $450,000 with Pyramid Brokerage Company, said school business manager Dorothy Iannello. The 18,000-square-foot building, put on the market in April, was renovated in 2002 as part of the district's building project along with an elementary school in Masonville. Both were closed in 2005 amid controversy, with declining enrollment cited. The former Masonville school is being leased to the state Dormitory Authority at the annual rate of $105,405.30.
Because enrollment projections do not show that the Sidney Center space will be needed, Ianello said, the district has decided to sell the property.
The funds from the sale will be used to pay down debt and will save district money in operating costs and maintenance, she said. All noneducational uses will require approval through the town of Sidney zoning and planning departments.
Sidney Center Improvement Group Chairman Joseph Lally previously said he was waiting for answers to some questions about the building before deciding if the group was interested in the property.
He could not be reached by phone for comment Tuesday.
