The $253 Board of Education has extended the contract with the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce’s Child Care Coalition to purchase the Maynard Building until next year, after delays in funding for the proposed child care center.
The Board of Education previously approved the sale of the former Maynard building to the chamber at its April 26 meeting, where the chamber outlined its plan to renovate the space into a 24/7 child care facility. The accepted offer, of $265,000, was contingent on the chamber obtaining financing to renovate the property.
At its meeting held on July 12, the Council approved a request from the Chamber for an extension until September 14, as the Chamber was awaiting announcements regarding grant allocations.
The chamber has not been awarded a Kansas Department for Children and Families grant and has requested an extension until Jan. 11, 2024, as the chamber works to apply for the next round of accelerator grants through the Kansas Cabinet for Children and Trust Fund, said Chamber President and CEO Jeanine McKenna. finance. Grant awards should be announced in December.
The board voted to extend the contract with the chamber despite an all-cash offer of $275,000 to purchase the building from an unnamed buyer.
Board member Jeremy Dorsey said he was hesitant to consider the other offer, since the need for child care is so great in the Emporia community. Additionally, under newly passed SB 113, the district may be required to submit the Maynard Building to the Kansas Legislature when it returns in January, before it is allowed to accept any other bids.
“I still want to see this space go to something that will benefit the community,” he said, adding that the district will have to wait until January to start submitting other bids because of SB 113, even if it is not extended. Contract with the chamber.
Jimmy Souder, a Coldwell Banker representative, said he was unsure whether another offer would still be on the table if the contract with the chamber expires in January. Additionally, Souder raised concerns about the binding nature of SB 113, as the district had already decided to sell the Maynard Building before the law went into effect, suggesting the attorney general should rule on the specific circumstances of the building sale.
“It is our recommendation as your agent, that you appoint him, enter into a rescission agreement with the chamber, or not extend it, and then immediately enter into negotiations with the second buyer and then make that agreement conditional on either contracting the AG or going through the waiting period with SB 113,” Souder said. “.
Following the extension, McKenna thanked the Board of Directors for their continued support of the Child Care Initiative. She added that although there is still a lot to collect, the chamber is hopeful that other awards from the community will begin to roll in if and after the chamber receives the accelerator grant.
“I know this wasn’t an easy decision. I know it’s very difficult but I appreciate it very much, and I know the coalition, so thank you.”
