Circleville Approves $780,000 Purchase of Pumpkin Show Headquarters on Franklin Street
The emergency measure allows Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. to occupy the East Franklin Street property rent-free after the sale closes.
The Circleville City Council passed an emergency ordinance Nov. 3 to buy the building that houses Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc.’s headquarters for $780,000, according to city records. The legislation authorizes City Auditor Mark Bidwell to execute a real estate purchase agreement for the property at 159-201 E. Franklin St.. Council declared the ordinance an emergency measure, finding that a delay in its effective date could jeopardize the city’s ability to complete the purchase and forfeit terms favorable to the city.
The property consists of two contiguous parcels totaling about 0.34 acres, improved with a mixed-use building of roughly 17,302 square feet. The structure includes a warehouse, office space, a fraternal hall, a loading dock and two loading doors. The city is relying on a July 2025 appraisal by Alliant Commercial Appraisers to set the purchase price and is buying the property “as is,” with no warranties from the seller.
Council appropriated $630,000 from the city’s general fund and $150,000 from a fund authorized for use by the Circleville Municipal Judge to cover the purchase. The sale must close on or before Dec. 31.
Under the deal’s occupancy terms, Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. will pay no monthly rent as the building’s primary tenant once the sale closes. The organization remains responsible for covering gas, electric and water utilities. The arrangement runs for an indefinite period unless the city moves to demolish or redevelop the property, in which case the nonprofit would receive 120 days’ written notice to vacate.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which subleases space on the building’s second floor for $50 a month, would also receive 120 days’ written notice to vacate if the property is redeveloped or demolished. The purchase agreement also preserves the organization’s full use of the site for this year’s event, part of a 250th-anniversary milestone the show marked in October.
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The Circleville City Council passed an emergency ordinance Nov. 3 to buy the building that houses Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc.’s headquarters for $780,000, according to city records.
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The Circleville City Council voted Monday to buy the building that houses Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc.’s headquarters for $780,000, with the nonprofit continuing to occupy the Franklin Street property rent-free after the sale closes.Council passed the emergency ordinance Nov. 3, authorizing City Auditor Mark Bidwell to execute a real estate purchase agreement for the property at 159-201 E. Franklin St., according to the ordinance.
The legislation authorizes City Auditor Mark Bidwell to execute a real estate purchase agreement for the property at 159-201 E. Franklin St..
Read supporting passage
Council passed the emergency ordinance Nov. 3, authorizing City Auditor Mark Bidwell to execute a real estate purchase agreement for the property at 159-201 E. Franklin St., according to the ordinance.
Council declared the ordinance an emergency measure, finding that a delay in its effective date could jeopardize the city’s ability to complete the purchase and forfeit terms favorable to the city.
Read supporting passage
Council declared the ordinance an emergency measure, finding that a delay in its effective date could jeopardize the city’s ability to complete the purchase and forfeit terms favorable to the city, according to the legislation.
The property consists of two contiguous parcels totaling about 0.34 acres, improved with a mixed-use building of roughly 17,302 square feet.
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The property consists of two contiguous parcels totaling about 0.34 acres, improved with a mixed-use building of roughly 17,302 square feet that includes a warehouse, office space, a fraternal hall, a loading dock and two loading doors, according to the ordinance.
The structure includes a warehouse, office space, a fraternal hall, a loading dock and two loading doors.
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The property consists of two contiguous parcels totaling about 0.34 acres, improved with a mixed-use building of roughly 17,302 square feet that includes a warehouse, office space, a fraternal hall, a loading dock and two loading doors, according to the ordinance.
The city is relying on a July 2025 appraisal by Alliant Commercial Appraisers to set the purchase price and is buying the property “as is,” with no warranties from the seller.
Council appropriated $630,000 from the city’s general fund and $150,000 from a fund authorized for use by the Circleville Municipal Judge to cover the purchase.
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Council appropriated $630,000 from the city’s general fund and $150,000 from a fund authorized for use by the Circleville Municipal Judge to cover the purchase, the ordinance said.
The sale must close on or before Dec. 31.
Under the deal’s occupancy terms, Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. will pay no monthly rent as the building’s primary tenant once the sale closes.
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Under the deal’s occupancy terms, Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. becomes the building’s primary tenant once the sale closes, paying no monthly rent but covering gas, electric and water, according to the purchase agreement attached to the ordinance.
The organization remains responsible for covering gas, electric and water utilities.
Read supporting passage
Under the deal’s occupancy terms, Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. becomes the building’s primary tenant once the sale closes, paying no monthly rent but covering gas, electric and water, according to the purchase agreement attached to the ordinance.
The arrangement runs for an indefinite period unless the city moves to demolish or redevelop the property, in which case the nonprofit would receive 120 days’ written notice to vacate.
Read supporting passage
The arrangement runs for an indefinite period unless the city moves to demolish or redevelop the property, in which case the nonprofit and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows — which subleases space on the building’s second floor for $50 a month — would each receive 120 days’ written notice to vacate.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which subleases space on the building’s second floor for $50 a month, would also receive 120 days’ written notice to vacate if the property is redeveloped or demolished.
Read supporting passage
The arrangement runs for an indefinite period unless the city moves to demolish or redevelop the property, in which case the nonprofit and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows — which subleases space on the building’s second floor for $50 a month — would each receive 120 days’ written notice to vacate.
The purchase agreement also preserves the organization’s full use of the site for this year’s event, part of a 250th-anniversary milestone the show marked in October.