CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — 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 city determined immediate action was needed to lock in the negotiated purchase terms before they could fall through, the ordinance said.
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, the ordinance said. The sale must close on or before Dec. 31.
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 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.
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 information contained in this story was obtained from the City of Circleville.
