OU could secure state prison-farm land

The land purchase needed to complete Ohio University's airport runway expansion was formally approved by the State Controlling Board Monday.

John Burns, OU director of legal affairs, said the step was a formality.

But state officials questioned why OU purchased the property for $12,000 more than the original appraisal of $84,000, he said.

Burns said the land has appreciated in value during the last few years as new developments have come into the area. When OU officials explained this, the board approved the sale.

In other property news, the university is looking into buying a 450-acre former state prison farm in Hebbardsville, Burns said. OU is taking bids from planners, who will determine how to use the property.

Burns said one possible use for the land could be as new county fairgrounds if OU swapped the Hebbardsville land for the county's current fairgrounds off West Union Street.

Part of the current fairground site is used for parking monthly and on special weekends, such as Halloween. Burns said it is too early to discuss how OU would use the land if was acquired.

"To talk about the current fairgrounds, and what it could be used for, is pretty speculative," he said.

-Erik Carlson