photo by: Linda Harris The sale of the building that once housed the Pugliese Training Center at what was Eastern Gateway Community College can proceed, a federal judge has ruled.  STEUBENVILLLE — The federal judge presiding over a multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit involving the now-defunct Eastern Gateway Community College has signed off on the proposed sale of its Pugliese building to Steubenville City Schools, though the deal is at least weeks from being finalized. U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley of the Southern District of Ohio lifted a previous order meant to protect the college’s assets — chiefly, the Pugliese building and the Jefferson County Campus — from sale or transfer pending a resolution of a lawsuit filed two years ago by Student Resources Center, the college’s one-time business partner. Marbley’s pre-judgment attachment order, however, remains in place for the college’s buildings and grounds, currently also the focus of litigation in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court. In December, Judge Michelle Miller ruled that a reversionary clause in the deed of title granted to the college more than 60 years ago is, in fact, enforceable. Still to be decided in her court is whether EGCC breached that educational use requirement, as well as the county’s petition to halt collections of the final two years of a 1-mill, voter-approved levy for the college’s operation and maintenance. Miller stayed both of those cases, quietly filed by Jefferson County commissioners several months ago to protect taxpayer interests. But with Marbley releasing the liens on the Pugliese property, EGCC’s governance authority is free to proceed with the sale. If it goes through, Steubenville City Schools will pay fair market value — somewhere around $2.1 million, according to court documents — for the 3.07-acre property, which includes the two-story training center along John Scott Highway, across from what was the college’s main campus. Superintendent Melinda Young, though, cautions that it’s not a done deal: The Steubenville City Schools Board of Education still must sign off on it, but the January meeting agenda already has been set, so the earliest a vote can come is February. But if all goes as planned, the Pugliese Center will be turned into an elementary school serving children in pre-K through Grade 5. Young said the building will require substantial renovations, so the earliest it would be ready for students would be for the 2026-27 school year. Young declined further comment until her board makes its decision.

But with Marbley releasing the liens on the Pugliese property, EGCC’s governance authority is free to proceed with the sale. U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley of the Southern District of Ohio lifted a previous order meant to protect the college’s assets — chiefly, the Pugliese building and the Jefferson County Campus — from sale or […]

But with Marbley releasing the liens on the Pugliese property, EGCC’s governance authority is free to proceed with the sale.
U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley of the Southern District of Ohio lifted a previous order meant to protect the college’s assets — chiefly, the Pugliese building and the Jefferson County Campus — from sale or transfer pending a resolution of a lawsuit filed two years ago by Student Resources Center, the college’s one-time business partner.
Marbley’s pre-judgment attachment order, however, remains in place for the college’s buildings and grounds, currently also the focus of litigation in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court.
STEUBENVILLLE — The federal judge presiding over a multi-million-dollar breach of contract lawsuit involving the now-defunct Eastern Gateway Community College has signed off on the proposed sale of its Pugliese building to Steubenville City Schools, though the deal is at least weeks from being finalized.
But if all goes as planned, the Pugliese Center will be turned into an elementary school serving children in pre-K through Grade 5. Young said the building will require substantial renovations, so the earliest it would be ready for students would be for the 2026-27 school year.
The sale of the building that once housed the Pugliese Training Center at what was Eastern Gateway Community College can proceed, a federal judge has ruled.
Superintendent Melinda Young, though, cautions that it’s not a done deal: The Steubenville City Schools Board of Education still must sign off on it, but the January meeting agenda already has been set, so the earliest a vote can come is February.
Young declined further comment until her board makes its decision.
In December, Judge Michelle Miller ruled that a reversionary clause in the deed of title granted to the college more than 60 years ago is, in fact, enforceable. Still to be decided in her court is whether EGCC breached that educational use requirement, as well as the county’s petition to halt collections of the final two years of a 1-mill, voter-approved levy for the college’s operation and maintenance.
If it goes through, Steubenville City Schools will pay fair market value — somewhere around .1 million, according to court documents — for the 3.07-acre property, which includes the two-story training center along John Scott Highway, across from what was the college’s main campus.
Miller stayed both of those cases, quietly filed by Jefferson County commissioners several months ago to protect taxpayer interests.
photo by: Linda Harris