by Christian Morrow

Courier Staff Writer

Despite last-minute charges of political favoritism, the Pittsburgh School Board voted to sell the former Lemington Elementary School to Destiny International Ministries for $125,000.

Several East End residents, led by 12th Ward committeewoman Jacque Fielder, attempted to stop the sale, saying it was a back room deal arranged for Destiny’s Pastor Michael Smith by city Councilman Rev. Rickey Burgess.

Fielder said Burgess previously interfered with three other development deals she had in the works.

“He met behind our backs with the stakeholders,” she said.

Fielder’s daughter, Leah Kirkland, was one of several competing with Burgess for the District 9 council seat last year. However, she was removed from the primary ballot for failing to file her election petition by the deadline.

Burgess has declined comment on the matter. Smith said Burgess had nothing to do with the sale.

“To politicize this as a way to come against Burgess, and leaving this building as an eyesore, is reprehensible,” he said.

Nonetheless, $125,000 for a three-story, 44,000-square foot building on nearly three acres of land would seem to be a steal.

Rick Fellers, special assistant to the superintendent—charged with selling surplus district properties—said not really. The building, closed as part of the 2006 “right-sizing,” is appraised at $455,000, but requires about $140,000 in asbestos abatement and other maintenance upgrades.

“Jacque tried to have me delay the vote but it wasn’t my call,” Fellers said. “We don’t want to do anything the community is adamantly opposed to, but that’s not the case here. He (Smith) is bringing in his church, a day care and other community services and programs.”

Feller said the potential sale of East Hills Elementary School, also closed in 2006, was put on hold during the Aug. 27 board meeting because the district cannot sell to a “competitive educational institution.” The only bid, $1 million for the 92,000-square foot building and 5.6-acre property, came from Imani Christian Academy.

“If the school would take students—and subsidies—from the district it can’t be sold. But, if it’s deemed ‘complimentary’ then they can sell it,” Fellers said. “The board will probably rule on that at the September legislative meeting.”

The school board also voted to hire auctioneers to sell another 18 district buildings, including the former Boggs Avenue, Chatham, Gladstone and Washington Polytechnic school buildings. They voted to retain Macarro Auction Co. of Northampton County, and Hostetter Auctioneers of Beaver Falls to handle the sales.

“This just authorizes the concept,” said Fellers. “Too many of our sales have been to single bidders. Each potential auction property would have to be authorized individually by the board, making sure conditions such as a minimum bid price were agreed on.”

(Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)