By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Groveport Madison Schools officials will conduct negotiations to potentially transfer a small parcel of land to Columbus City Schools.
At a special Groveport Madison Board of Education meeting on Nov. 8, the board approved a resolution to begin talks to transfer a 4.1 acre parcel located at Rickenbacker Airport to Columbus City Schools. The land is in the southern portion of the airport at the site of the old control tower near the runways. The city of Columbus has not yet annexed the land, but the parcel is contiguous to another parcel that is already within the city of Columbus.
According to Franklin County Auditor records, the land is owned by the Columbus Municipal Airport Authority. Also according to the county auditor, the site’s current market value is $1.1 million, which includes $432,800 for the land and $704,700 for improvements.
However, Groveport Madison Treasurer John Walsh said the land is exempt from property taxes because it is within the Port Authority.
“The property is non-taxable so Groveport Madison Schools would not lose any revenue,” said Walsh.
Groveport Madison Superintendent Garilee Ogden said the district’s negotiations with Columbus City Schools regarding the transfer could begin by the end of November.
