By WHITNEE ICE
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph might have a new high school located at the American Family Insurance Regional Headquarters south of the Missouri Western campus, pending the passing of a 107-Million dollar bond issue on April 6th.
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Presidents Patt Lilly says the American Family Insurance building has been empty for quite some time.
"It's the original or the older part of the office building has been empty for some time," Lilly tells St. Joseph Post. "We have worked with American Family to pitch that building a couple of times to prospects, there's even been some local interest on a part of several companies to lease office space within the building although the building doesn't lend itself very well to multi-tenant use."
Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Gabe Edgar says he wants community members to be open to this new opportunity.
"You know the new verses the renovation that's definitely been a topic because there's a lot of history in the schools that we have and a lot of people really want to stay with three schools or they just want to renovate what we have," says Edgar. "I think this is a different opportunity. It is a renovation but I wish, and I'm sure you'll be able to see the drawings in the next couple of weeks as they come out but I was simply amazed at to what it looked like after the architect had drawn it up for us."
Edgar says this plan helps the school district avoid starting from scratch.
"So you don't have to start from scratch and obviously it was a corporate office and at one time it was built to house 1500 employees, so if you think about 1500 employees to 1500 students and I know it kind of seems far fetched but I really do think, after the drawings come out, people understand well maybe this is not too far fetched," says Edgar.
Edgar says the district will need to add gyms to the school. The school district is also looking at adding an athletic field to the campus.
"I do envision sports fields out there. I think what we're looking at is putting a turf football and soccer field," says Edgar. "Now, putting a baseball, softball complex, we haven't gotten to those discussions yet."
Lilly says this could would well for everyone involved.
"You know again, I think depending on how all this settles out, I think it could be a win/win for the community and for American Family," says Lilly.
The school administrators have approval from the St. Joseph School Board to begin negotiations with American Family, but only if the bond issue passes in April.