PICKENS COUNTY—The Pickens County School District is looking to sell four acres of land to the City of Easley for around $25,000.

The land could eventually be used for the construction of a park next to John T. Simpson School according to School Board Chairman Alex Saitta.

“The City of Easley owns West End Hall at 201 S 5th Street, but the school district owns the 2 acres of land below it,” said Saitta. “The City of Easley also owns the Head Start Building (West D Avenue – next to the John T. Simpson School), but the district owns the 2 acres below it. In the past, the City expressed interest in both properties.”

The school district is now looking to negotiate with the city on a deal that would be good for both sides.

“We are offering the two tracks of land to the city for $25,000,” he said. “It is my understanding the City wants to build a park on the West D Avenue property. Personally, I feel it is a good price. Where can you buy an acre of land in the city of Easley for about $6,000?”

Although the city has not made an official bid on the property, Saitta says there has already been some interest.

“The mayor told me that they were interested in the property,” said Saitta. “They bid $20,000 informally on it. We thought that was a little too low. I thought $30,000 worked, but we met them halfway at $25,000.”

City Administrator Fox Simons confirmed that discussions were underway.

“There have been discussions on this for the past few months,” said Simons. “We’re kind of just seeing if we can come to an agreement.”

Fox says that while there is interest, it would have to be the right number.

“We are interested,” said Simons. “We just haven’t been able to come to an agreement on a number.”

As for the park idea, however, Simons agrees that it would be the perfect location.

“A park would probably be very high up on the list of things that we would want to do there,” Simons. “A park would go very well though, but nothing official has come from the school board so we will just have to wait and see.”