Dr. W.C. "Bud" Helton said he wants to proceed with the purchase of the old Brainerd Junior High School despite the fact that he has not yet obtained the rezoning he is seeking.
Mr. Helton has given Paul Parker, county property manager, an $11,000 down payment on the $110,000 purchase price of the school that was last operated as the 21st Century Academy.
He said he plans to rehab the handsome school that was designed by famed Chattanooga architect R. H. Hunt.
Then he will go forward on the rezoning, he said. It is now zoned R-1.
Mr. Helton, who had a longtime education career, earlier rehabbed the former John P. Franklin Middle School in Alton Park and put it to new uses.
He said he expects similar success on the old Brainerd school.
Mr. Helton said, "We think this is an interesting project and we look forward to getting started."