The Miami County commissioners are ready to sell the Children’s Home Farm in Elizabeth Township following the closing last year of the David L. Brown Youth Center on the property.

 

Because of interest expressed in the past, the commissioners earlier this month sent a letter to the Elizabeth Township trustees asking it they would be interested in purchasing the more than 170 acres.

 

The property east of Troy off Children’s Home Road was donated to the county in the 1877 by John K. Knoop and Jacob Knoop for use as a children’s home.

 

The Children’s Home was closed in the 1970s, then was reopened by the state as the Western Ohio Youth Center in the 1980s. That facility closed in 1984, the building was renovated and then reopened in 1987 as the county youth center. The name was changed to David L. Brown in memory of a former director.

 

The 15-bed residential David L. Brown facility was licensed by the state and operated by the county Juvenile Court for males ages 12-18. It was closed in November by the court because of less use of the facility’s offerings.

 

With the closing, the commissioners obtained a legal opinion that the county remained the owner of the property.

 

With that opinion, they first had the property surveyed by Brumbaugh Engineering and Surveying of West Milton. It then was appraised by Harvey Plus, LLC/Harvey Auction Company of Springfield at $1,336,000 for the 171.75 acres

 

“Several years ago, the board met with Elizabeth Township Trustees regarding their interest in the property If the David L. Brown program were to close. At that point in time, it was suggested that should the board decide to dispose of the property the township would like the first opportunity for purchase,” the commissioners wrote in the letter dated July 10.

 

The commissioners asked for a response by July 27.

 

Trustees Chairman John Ryman said last week the trustees received the letter but had not yet had the chance to discuss it or the property. An extension of the county deadline might be requested to allow more time to discuss the commission letter, he said.