2 proposals made to use vacant 1894 structure

One of two proposals now in front of the Perrysburg Schools Board of Education could ultimately decide the fate of the old Commodore building, which was built in 1894 and is currently up for sale.

The proposal most strongly being considered is from the nonprofit Perrysburg Area Arts Council, which suggested the old schoolhouse be transformed into a community arts center.

The Commodore Preservation Partnership, a for-profit group made up of four local professionals, proposed the old building be used for an urban housing project adjacent to a community arts facility.

The arts council's proposal is currently at the center of the school board's attention, if only because it was the only proposal that included a feasibility study.

The preservation partnership group concocted an outline for a housing district and arts facility to be run by the arts council, but declined to hammer out more specific details because of the council's refusal to scrap its own proposal and form a joint venture.

The partnership group, made up of business professionals David Miller, George Lathrop, Tony Clark, and Kate MacPherson, is proposing to transform approximately half the 117,098-square-foot building into upper-end housing, apartments, or condominiums.

In this proposal, the portions of the Commodore built in 1894 and 1916, as well as the science wing and lawn on Indiana Avenue, would be transformed into 30 to 50 residential units with some retail space.

The cost for such renovations and construction is anticipated to exceed $4 million.

The partnership group states in its written proposal to Perrysburg Superintendent Michael Cline: "We feel strongly that the site presents an unequaled opportunity for the city of Perrysburg to enrich its urban setting while preserving a campus that holds emotional connections for many citizens."

However, the group also explained in its letter that it would not pursue its Commodore efforts any further unless the board rejects all single-use proposals from other entities.

The only single-use proposal out there belongs to the arts council, which is proposing space for an art studio and gallery, a music school, and a partnership with the Toledo Ballet for a satellite dance studio.

Robin Ballmer, executive director for the arts council, said her organization's proposal also includes programs for culinary arts and theater, as well as after-school and senior citizen functions.

"We want to enrich all of the community, from preschoolers to senior citizens," Ms. Ballmer said.

"This is like an incubator for the arts."

The arts council's proposal suggests the city of Perrysburg, Perrysburg Schools, and the Rossford-Perrysburg Township Port Authority form a special-use district that would take ownership of the building.

Outlined in this plan are over $12.5 million in renovations, to be paid for through grants, private donors, and possibly a fixed-interest-rate revenue bond. Should a bond be provided, Ms. Ballmer said governing bodies in the special-use district may propose that a small permanent improvement levy be placed on an upcoming ballot.

Both the arts council and partnership group proposals include a rented space for Perrysburg Schools to continue to maintain its administrative offices at the Commodore.

Rick Thielen, Perrysburg's planning, zoning, and economic development director, has reviewed the arts council's plan and had preliminary discussions with the partnership group; Mr. Thielen said that the council's proposal "is a great project and would be a huge asset to the community.

"Either way, the city would work with whatever group steps forward, as long as the proposal is reasonable.

"If we can do both [housing and an arts center], that would be great, too."

School board president Walt Edinger said that the board needs to decide whether to take action on the arts council's proposal by the board's Feb. 20 meeting.

If the board does not want to pursue the council's proposal, a public auction for the Commodore is set for March 16.