Commissioners approve purchase agreement with the University of Akron for school in Medina County

MEDINA — Medina County is a step closer to having the Medina County Career Center turn the University of Akron's University Center into its second campus. The Medina County commissioners approved a purchase agreement with the University of Akron for the property at 6300 Technology Lane in Lafayette Township during its meeting Tuesday. "Today is actually the sales contract between the University of Akron and the county to actually have the deed transfer back into the county's name," Commissioner Colleen Swedyk said. "Eventually, at the county recorder's office, the deed will transfer back into our name." The next step is for the county to give the Career Center a 30-year lease to use the property, she said. It will be a similar arrangement to the long-term lease the county has with the fair board for the county's fairgrounds. "We were passionate about making sure they had a long-term lease, so they can make long-term plans with the property," Swedyk said. The purchase price is $2.85 million. She said the Medina County Sheriff's Office has a $200,000 grant that will go toward the cost, since the sheriff's office plans to use a few rooms in the building for police academies. "(The career center) is covering, plus the sheriff's $200,000 grant, the purchase price," Swedyk said. "We're paying the purchase price to the University of Akron, and then most of it is paid back by the career center. Then that will be their lease payment for the entire 30 years, so they won't have an annual payment." The career center intends to expand its adult education offerings at the second campus. "What that will also do is give them some space on their main campus to take more students, which is great," she said. "Kids want to go there." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.