ASHLAND – Ashland businessman Bill Chandler was the highest bidder Tuesday in the auction for the former Ashland Middle School property on Cottage Street.
Chandler placed a combined bid $165,000 for the three parcels up for auction. The Ashland City Schools board of education must now determine whether to accept the bid.
Auction company Dilgard Real Estate held Tuesday’s auction in the basement of First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, which is adjacent to the parcels that were up for auction.
On the county’s behalf, Ashland County Commissioner Denny Bittle placed a bid of $45,000 on the parcel that borders Third Street and contains the parking lot across the street from the county courthouse.
The county, along with all other bidders on the three individual parcels, was outbid as Chandler’s combined bid exceeded the total of bids for individual parcels.
Chandler said he has lived in Ashland all his life and had companies in the city since 1974. He is president of Chandler Systems, a water treatment products manufacturing company, which he founded in 1993.
Chandler said he and his wife, Polly, want to acquire the property not because they have an immediate need or use for it but because they care about the community and believe the adjacent church is an architectural jewel.
If the bid is accepted, Chandler said he plans to sit down with county and church leaders to learn what their needs are and to ensure their needs are met.
Chandler said he believes the county should have use of the parking lot.
He also plans to keep the property well-maintained and “keep it nice until we can determine a use for it.”
