Published: June 19, 2007 11:39 pm      

Street right-of-way to be abandoned

GREENVILLE — If the Greenville Independent School District decides on a future bond proposal, then the site of a new school which would be built with the funds may have been identified.

The Greenville Planning and Zoning Commission Monday voted to recommend approval of the abandonment of a portion of the right-of-way along Nevada Drive, which the district needs in order to build a road to the school.

“The abandonment of that right-of-way is part of those negotiations,” said Director of Community Development Philip Sanders.

Sanders said the city staff recommended the abandonment, provided the district reserve a 20-foot easement for a utility line.

“Even if the school campus is not built there, we can regain the right-of-way in the future if we need it for development,” Sanders said.

Greenville Independent School District officials have been discussing the possibility of conducting a bond election. Although no date has been scheduled for an election and no amount has been set for the bonds, the election would most likely include the construction of a new middle school and additions onto Lamar and Carver Elementary Schools.

C. Wayland Walker owned the property in question and was contemplating selling it when he was approached by Greenville ISD Superintendent Lloyd Graham.

“The school already owns a portion of it on the west side that is being abandoned,” Walker told the Commission. “The superintendent said they needed a school in that area, so things worked out just right.”

Commission member Douglas Felps made the motion to recommend the abandonment.

“It is a win-win situation,” he said.

The Commission voted 6-0 to recommend the measure, which will now go before the City Council for final approval.

The Council is scheduled to consider the abandonment during its regular session, starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Municipal Building, 2821 Washington Street.