Former school for kids with Asperger's Syndrome sold to Ann Arbor church
The building that formerly housed Veritas Christi High School at 410 S. Maple near West Liberty in Ann Arbor was sold in March to 2|42 Community Church.
The building was originally listed for sale by the school in July 2011 for $1.85 million, before being foreclosed by the lender. The building received several offers during the 60 days it was listed by Jim Chaconas of Colliers International.
“We had an offer within 60 days and back up offers right after that for more money than it sold for,” said Chaconas.
Chaconas said the building’s appeal was its large square footage for the price. At 12,500 square feet, the building sold for $950,000.
“[That] is a pretty good price for a building without much visibility,” said Chaconas.
Originally planned for students with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, the private high school opened in 2010 in the building, which was previously owned by Absolute Title.
But the school suffered from low enrollment, and Interim Head of School Richard Nye said in July 2011 that the school did not plan to close but was attempting to sell the building as part of a reorganization.
Nye declined to comment to annarbor.com on the future of the school. The school’s website reads that it is accepting a limited number of students for the 2012-2013 school year.
Featuring a waterfall in the lobby, the school had renovated the building to include seminar-style classrooms and wireless access throughout the building.
2|42 Community Church, a non denominational church in Ann Arbor, has been leasing the ballroom space in the Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor, according to its Realtor, Jon Gordon of Gordon Real Estate. However, the congregation has grown to a size where they needed more room to expand.
“[The former Veritas Christi building] is a very good size for them and certainly the price was an important consideration,” said Gordon. “The interior of the building was extremely well -done.
"The previous owners had spent quite a bit of money on upgrades. It was hard not to like the inside of that building.”
The church is in the middle of a reconstruction in which they are reconfiguring some of the classroom space into a large meeting space for its congregation.
They plan to open as soon as possible as the Sheraton will be redesigning their ballroom space early next month, according to Gordon.
Comments
Blerg
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
Do children still go to this school? If so, where do they attend class currently?
chrysler15
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.
My son went to this school. We all got a letter in June 2011 saying it was closed for good. All the talk about reorganization was just wishful thinking (or maybe denial -- take your pick). Most of the former students now attend Aim High School and are doing great.
Always Amazed
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
For the few parents whose kids might fit the bill, I hope they thoroughly research the financial stability of this school. This is the 2nd attempt. The first was an abysmal failure financially and in enrolling students. There was no one minding the store while hundreds of thousands of dollars were committed. This population of students is greatly upset by change; to start another school that has a high chance of failure is ill-advised at best; to enroll one's vulnerable child even more risky.
chrysler15
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 11:57 a.m.
There is a real need for alternative schools for this type of student. Which is why Ann Arbor Academy and Aim High School are doing well. VCHS had a good educational model (quiet, small classes plus great teachers), but the business model failed miserably.
Laura Jones
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 11:27 p.m.
I have heard nothing wonderful about it, but it is a school type that is needed.
Tony Livingston
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 6:34 p.m.
Yes, I thought the name was unfortunate and I knew right away that it would severely restrict their target audience. Another mortgage unpaid.
seldon
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
Perhaps narrowing their market to really religious people who have kids with Asperger's wasn't a good business model?
Unusual Suspect
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
When I first saw this I thought it said, "Former school kids with Asperger's Syndrome sold to Ann Arbor church."
Lovaduck
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
Weird, so did I!
brimble
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
The photo in the article is not one of the property being discussed; rather it appears to be the office of Absolute Title on W. Liberty.
Steve Pepple
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
The building at one time housed the Absolute Title Company. The photo is an older file photo.