District gets $200,000 bid for Lincoln School

    Upscale apartments proposed for former school
    The Clear Lake School Board is expected to accept a $200,000 bid for Lincoln Elementary School.
    The Board met Monday to receive a recommendation from its Property Committee to sell the former school to Ken Wilhelm, an architect and construction manager for Leon Lauver and Associates of Norfolk, Neb.  
    Wilhelm’s proposal to the district stated he recognized the building’s longtime importance as a “community icon” and he hoped to preserve the building and create upscale apartments.  Green space and additional low density housing compatible with the single family housing in the area are also included in the proposal.
    Tom Lovell, a member of the Property Committee, noted Wilhelm and his wife, a native of Ventura, have been coming to Clear Lake for more than 30 years and are familiar with the area.  He said that in addition to the $200,000 offer, the highest of five bids for the property, the proposal also addressed other criteria being considered, such as preservation of the building and green space, along with benefit to the community.  
    “They address all of our concerns and the price was terrific,” he added.
    “It certainly provides some interesting opportunities for the community,” said Board President Ron Andrews of the offer.
    Wilhem’s proposal indicated the project would be named “Lincoln Park,” recognizing the president the school was named for and large trees on the 4.25 acre site.  
    The cash bid is not contingent on financing.
    Friday, the Board reviewed five bids for the school.  At that time a $100,000 offer from Monty and Laura Williamson appeared to the high bid, but the Board was unaware of Wilhelm’s offer.  Interim Superintendent Dwight Pierson discovered after the noon meeting that Wilhelm had submitted a bid proposal via email.  The email had been sent prior to the 11 a.m. Friday deadline, but had not been retrieved by Pierson.  The district’s attorney advised the Board that by law it should consider Wilhelm’s offer.
    Williamson’s plan to renovate the school building and use it for retail and office space, as well as build housing at the site was well received by the board, as were $50,000 bids by Snyder Construction of Clear Lake and Tierney Properties of Mason City.  The Baptist Church had submitted a bid of $30,000 with plans to tear down the school and build a new church.  Fred and Heather Roth, neighbors to the school, offered $6,000 for a lot next to their home.
    The Board will develop a resolution at its Sept. 23 meeting for the sale of the building to Wilhelm.  A public hearing will be held Monday, Oct. 6, with a decision about the sale expected following the hearing.
    Pierson noted the district has received a lot of interest in the playground equipment still located at Lincoln School.  He said future use of that equipment will be determined by the new owner of the property.