City Will Sell Land Behind St. Vincent Back to School

The city will sell a narrow strip of land back to St. Vincent de Paul High School, land the school gave the city more than 50 years ago. But the school will have to pay $8,500 minus administrative fees, for the land on Cherry Street, adjacent to the school’s baseball and football fields.

This summer, the if it could take back the land, which is already used for a bullpen. Some initially did not want to return the land, arguing it may be needed to expand the street. Other council members said the land should be returned for free, since the school gave it to the city in 1959.

But Councilwoman Teresa Barrett said land appreciates over time and that the city was entitled $8,500, the assessed value of the property.

John Walker, Principal of St. Vincent de Paul High School called the decision, reached Monday night by city council, fair and success for all involved.

“My main concern today was sustaining a good relationship between the school, the neighbors and the city and I think we have done that,” Walker said.