CHAPMAN, Nebraska — A vacant school could find new life as a treatment center for drug and alcohol addicts as the Chapman community considers the building’s future.
City council members say the building is empty and costs them $25,000 a year.
The plan has been on the market so far without attracting any interest, but the response to this plan has been mixed.
The school was part of the Grand Island Northwest School District. The school board voted to close the building in 2016, but later changed its decision and voted again to close the school in 2020.
The school district sold the building to the community of Chapman for one dollar.
Now the village has agreed to sell the building to Phillip Beckett and plans to convert it into a treatment center for drug and alcohol addicts.
Chris Killin, chairman of the local council, told NTV that the value of the deal is $295,000.
Council member Mary Steiner is a retired nurse with experience in addiction treatment. She said it would provide a needed service and seemed like a sustainable business that could not only utilize the property but also create jobs.
One family told NTV they had concerns. Although they did not want to be on camera, they felt that a drug treatment center next to a park was not the right choice. They feared it could cause problems for the small community.
The family also expressed their frustration with the vote.
Steiner, a member of the town council, explains to residents that they have a right to petition. Under state law, there is a 30-day window to collect signatures from 30 percent of voters. If that happens, sales would be halted for at least a year.
Community leader Chris Killin says he will call a meeting to give community members the opportunity to learn about the project and ask questions.
Steiner said she understands the concerns and encouraged residents to learn more about the proposal … and what it would mean for the community.
This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 29th at 7 p.m. at the Community Center in Chapman and is open to the public.
