Mathews schools net $446K in land auction

VIENNA --The Mathews Local School District will see some $446,960 following the auction of 115 acres of district-owned property near the board of education building off Cadwallader Sonk Road.

The auction Thursday evening by RES Auction Services of Wooster netted a total of $491,656 from the sale of six parcels of the 115-acre property, purchased by six individuals.

Superintendent Russell McQuaide said when buyer's fees, closings costs, surveying expenses and other costs are paid, the district will receive $446,960.

The auction drew more than 100 people gathered under a large tent near the property.

Drew Turner, auctioneer with RES Auction, said he was impressed by the number of people, including 30 registered bidders, who attended. He had received many inquiries and calls ahead of time about the auction. He said similar-sized properties usually get around 10 registered bidders, so this event drew more than expected.

"When you are going into something like this, you never really know what to expect,'' he said.

Patrick Greenwood of Cortland said he purchased a parcel that has a small pond.

"I would like to build a house on it, but we have not gotten that far yet. I like the pond being there," he said

Purchasers bid between $3,900 to $4,600 per acre for the six parcels that range in size from 5.2 acres to 35.7 acres. Turner said with the total sale of $491,656, each parcel was sold for $4,275 per acre on average.

Parcels had front properties off Cadwallader Sonk Road, some woods, and open ground. One parcel of 35.7 acres could be used for hunting and recreational land with frontage on nearby Youngstown Kingsville Road.

The Mathews Board of Education had a special meeting after the auction to accept the sales of the property.

Board President Beth Haddle said the 115 acres were no longer needed by the school district. No other schools, colleges or STEM schools in the area were interested in using it.

"I am ecstatic how well this went," Haddle said. "This was a very good investment that the board had made and will serve the district well financially.

"We did so well because of the way the auctioneer parceled it out and promoted it. These were nice parcels."

She said when she saw the parking lot filled with vehicles she knew there was a lot of interest.

Turner said the surveying work will be done in June.

School officials will retain the property where the board office building and parking lot are located. All of the property sits near the Vienna and Fowler border.