By Lee Weyhrich
The Pinson City Council on Thursday voted to officially consider purchasing the Old Rock School and Triangle Park.
Solid Rock Church, which owns the property, announced earlier this year that it was selling the school and park. Solid Rock Church is asking $1.2 million for the properties.
Officially considering the purchase allows Mayor Hoyt Sanders to look into possibilities for the building’s use and the financial aspects of buying the property. The next step will be for Sanders to look into possible financing for the project.
Solid Rock Church Pastor Larry Ragland said earlier this month that his church will soon outgrow the historic school. His congregation is in negotiations with the owners of New Covenant Fellowship Church to purchase their now vacant building on Pinson Valley Parkway. The sale of the Old Rock School property would be contingent on the outcome of that negotiation.
Councilmen John Churchwell and Robbie Roberts have explored the property in detail and believe the building is in sound condition, and can be immediately put to good use if purchased.
“My observation about the property is that Solid Rock has done a nice job of keeping it up,” Roberts said.
Roberts also said that moving forward would take a lot of teamwork on behalf of the city and council to develop further plans.
According to www.solidrockchurch.com, parts of the school date back to 1929. The school building was closed down in 1998 and was scheduled to be torn down. The website says that Pinson residents saved the building from demolition and in 2003 Solid Rock Church leased the property. The church’s first service in the building was Sept. 26, 2004.
The council has already entered into an agreement with Solid Rock Church to hold Pinson City Fest on March 31 at the field behind the church. Councilman Joe Cochran said the location is ideal for the event, which will feature free rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, and birthday cake
.