Plans were in the works to turn the old North School in Paola into an event center, but now, the developer has backed down on those plans. Blake Harris of the Haven Event Space in Louisburg told the Miami County Republic that he has cancelled the purchase contract he was pursuing for the old school building. He says many reasons led to the decision, none he was willing to share publicly. He did say that another plan may be coming in the future with an alternate site and he would release details in the coming months.
Paola Planning Commissioners recommended approval of the requested Conditional Use Permit in June, and the Paola City Council was set to make the final decision until the plans were recently pulled. Several neighboring residents raised concerns about the proposed event venue during recent public hearings; but,some residents also showed support for the plan because it would have saved and restored the old school building, which opened in 1873.
