KINGSPORT CITY LEADERS HAVE APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF TWO DOWNTOWN PROPERTIES THAT WILL LIKELY BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACADEMIC VILLAGE. THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMAN DECIDED LAST NIGHT TO BUY THE JIM’S LAWN CENTER BUILDING FOR 265-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THE PAUL ADAMS BUILDING FOR 359-THOUSAND DOLLARS. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE BMA VOTED TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 12-MILLION DOLLAR 50-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER. IN ADDITION, CITY LEADERS AGREED TO FUND A 4.8 MILLION DOLLAR 42-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT ALLIED HEALTH BUILDING WHICH WILL HOST MEDICAL COURSES FOR NORTHEAST STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.