Dublin Schools Sued Over Former Verizon Building

It’s a battle between jobs and education — and Dublin Schools wants to use eminent domain to win.

Because of this, Valley Equity filed suit against Dublin Schools because, as stated in the Columbus Dispatch, they feel “deprived and continue to deprive Valley Equity of its property and liberty interests” since the district has not moved on with their claims.

Earlier this year, an old, unused former Verizon building went up for sale, and Emerald Parkway Valley Equity Group and Dublin Schools, placed their bids, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Dublin Schools aimed high at more than $6 million dollars, but fell short and lost the building to Valley Equity who bid a little over $5 million.

Why? Their bidders identity was not disclosed until the very end of the bid, so the bank chose Valley Equity who then proceeded to fill the building with new future tenants who could later provide more than 500 jobs to the area and a million dollars in city income taxes.

Enter Dublin Schools, who wants to override the purchase with eminent domain and claim the building for alternative academic space, where they would house such as College Credit Plus or STEM and career courses, according to the Dispatch.

As of right now, the district is still threatening eminent domain, shopping around for spaces that it could use instead of the Verizon building, and effectively leaving Valley Equity hanging as it waits for the district to move forward.

Valley Equity has already lost one major tenant since the district announced it might use eminent domain.

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