BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) — In the month since Bexley City Schools has completed its $6.02 million purchase of nearly 30 acres of land just north of the city’s limits, the district has released more information about the purchase and its future.

The district has confirmed it intends to demolish the existing building on the property, as well as install temporary fencing for safety. Bexley has also debuted possible renderings of what could be coming for the property at 935 N. Cassady Ave. Public Information Officer Carol Taylor said it is important to remember the possibilities presented are only possibilities, and nothing is finished.

“The development of the Cassady land complex will be preceded by a community-engagement process specific to the Cassady Avenue complex — similar to what we’re doing now and what we also did with our Strategic Plan development in 2023,” Taylor said. “Community members were heavily involved in Strategic Planning in 2023, and have been in Facilities Planning since the beginning of 2024.”

Two of many possibilities have been made public, both with increased athletic facilities including two turf fields, tennis courts and a new track and field center. A primary difference between the two renderings was deciding if the district should move 10th Avenue from where it currently sits, driving through the property.

The estimated costs without markups ranged from around $29 million to around $37 million, which Taylor said did not include the over $6 million used to purchase the property. The district has said its hefty operating levy will not be able to pay to develop the land but could be used for future daily operations. See previous coverage of Bexley City Schools’ 2024 levy in the video player above.

Both renderings were titled “Phase I,” and Taylor said although the architects labeled them that way, there is currently not a suggested phase two. However, Taylor also said the district knows it is unlikely the land will be developed in just one phase.

Taylor said the possible options and cost projections were drafted by architects working with the district before the land purchase was finalized, in order to understand the land’s potential. During that due diligence phase, the district also had conversations with city zoning officials, surveyed the property and completed site assessments, including an environmental report.

NBC4 obtained the initial environmental assessment, which found the property was listed in two environmental data resource databases, both of which were deemed unlikely to affect the site today. Regarding surrounding properties, the Calgon Carbon Corporation next door was the only site of 90 listings found to be likely to have adversely affected the property.

A questionnaire was also completed by a representative for the property’s last owner, who said no previous assessments have been completed, and answered that he did not have knowledge about most possible environmental factors.

The first database hit was a listing as an infectious waste generator, a designation left over from the site’s days as a nursing home. As it provided medical care for patients, the property used and disposed of sharp items, containers, biohazards and medical waste, all of which are classified as infectious waste. The report said it is unlikely this would impact the property negatively today.

The second was a spill of pesticide reported at the property in 1990, likely from routine maintenance, the report notes. According to the environmental report, the 35 years since the spill occurred means it will likely not affect the current property.

The Calgon Carbon Corporation was found to have contributed to contamination on the southeastern portion of the property. The report said the contaminated soil has been topped with 2 feet of clean soil in compliance with environmental standards. Ohio EPA reports have also found this facility is in compliance with environmental regulations.

The development will be a change for Bexley schools. Taylor encouraged families to remember that things are flexible and to consider the possibilities of the new property.

“The need for a new outdoor complex is not just to support our student athletes. We need to alleviate overcrowding on the Cassingham complex in order to enlarge and improve the school day space by addressing our undersized classrooms and alleviate cafeteria overcrowdedness, to name just two of many issues,” Taylor said.

Taylor encouraged those wanting to know more to sign up for the district newsletter, where updates are often shared. The district documents facilities planning processes and makes them available online, and asked residents to get information from the district rather than second-hand.