The old Panaca Elementary School building will be transferred to county ownership after a survey. Some of the rooms may be used for private businesses and at least two will be used by the school district for adult education classes.

PANACA — Lincoln County School District has decided to sell the old Panaca Elementary School to the county, and only a matter of having the property surveyed and recorded is delaying signing of the papers.

County commissioners discussed some of the details of the sale at their regular meeting Jan. 19. Commissioner Paul Donohue said he has had inquiries already from some people who would like to have a chance to use part of the old building for business space.

Deal to be signed after survey completed

District Attorney Daniel Hooge said a deed and rental agreement between the county and the school district have already been drawn up and are ready to be signed. The rental agreement, he said, allows the school district to rent two rooms for use as adult education rooms.

But the whole process, Hooge noted, is being held up presently because the school district still needs to have the property surveyed and then recorded with the county.

School Superintendent Nikki Holton said she and county commissioners plan to meet as soon as possible to discuss when and who is to do the survey.

A new elementary school, on the same block, was opened in 2010.

Hooge also said a legal description of the building has not been made, nor has a map been prepared yet showing which two rooms will be set aside for rent by the school district.

Donohue said after that is done, then commissioners can work on the issue of bringing electricity into the building. The question of whether there will be one central power unit, or if each business or shop that moves in have a separate metered power unit will have to be resolved.

Right now, Hooge said, everything is really just waiting on completion of the survey.

DAVE MAXWELL | LINCOLN COUNTY RECORD

Photo by Dave Maxwell