Following months of angst over its fate, the Granite Board of Education has agreed to sell the Pioneer Craft House property to a group that includes Salt Lake County, Utah Open Lands and Conservation Association, and the Pioneer Craft House Association.
The property, located at 3271 S. 500 East, includes 1.7 acres and five buildings, the district reported. The approved sale is for $530,000.
"It's a precious resource," said Jim Davis, member of the Pioneer Craft House executive board. "We're grateful to Granite School District (for) giving us the opportunity to preserve it."
The Pioneer Craft House is housed in the old Scott School, a building rich in Mormon pioneer history dating back to an 1847 log cabin built as a church and school. Granite School District once housed Granite High, junior high and high school science classes and metal and woodwork shops in the building.
Pioneer Craft House, created in 1947, started teaming with the district in 1950 on student course offerings. In 1966, it entered into a 40-year lease with the district in the old Scott School. The district covered its costs and students benefited from its offerings
But last summer the school district put Pioneer Craft House up for sale, saying it needed to better direct scarce education dollars. Pioneer Craft House wanted time to gather the money to buy and preserve the building. The district had been asking for nearly $1 million on the property; a later appraisal put the historic property at the OK'd sale price, Davis said.
The group still is working out contractual issues with the district, Davis said. It is to close the deal Oct. 1.
Meanwhile, the group is working to raise up to $800,000 for the purchase, building improvements and future operations, Davis said. It has sought zoo, arts and parks tax support and other grants.
The house will continue classes currently offered through entities including the University of Utah, Granite Peaks (Granite District's community education department) and Salt Lake Community College, Davis said. This spring, it will start reworking some of its programs with guilds valleywide. A summertime farmer's market also is planned.
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com