PLATTSBURGH -- Plattsburgh City School officials want to buy a home near Momot Elementary School.

Then they want to destroy it.

But first, they need voter approval.

"The opportunity came when this piece of property came on the market for sale, and as it sat there, we were looking, thinking it could be a solution to our problems at Momot," said Plattsburgh City School Superintendent James "Jake" Short.

BALLOT PROPOSITION

In an attempt to alleviate worrisome traffic congestion, school officials want to purchase 66 South Peru St., a single-family home bordering the southern entrance of the Momot grounds.

The district has the option to buy the property, originally listed at $68,000, for $53,000, but needs voter approval to do so.

The proposal will be listed as Proposition 2 on the May 20 ballot.

"We can use EXCEL money to purchase this without it having to come from property taxes," Short said.

Demolishing the building and reconstructing more open space would improve traffic flow at the school.

MORE KIDS GET RIDES

"At a few of our buildings, Momot being one, traffic has always been a concern," Short said.

Momot traffic has grown, he said, with the apparent trend of more people moving into that section of Plattsburgh.

"Momot will be at capacity," he said.

Short said local school traffic reflects a national trend that indicates the number of students walking to school or biking fell from 48 percent in 1969 to 16 percent in 2001.