VIDEOS: City Evaluates Historic Sherman House on Erie Street

What was supposed to be a quick inspection of a house on Erie Street looked more like a real estate open house on Tuesday as city officials tried to determine .

Tuesday afternoon's evaluation was conducted by city engineering employees, who were trying to gather evidence of the house's historic nature and information about its structure and contents. Members of the community, other city departments and local media all briefly toured the house.

Kent City Engineer Jim Bowling said his goal is to gather as much information about the house as possible and take that information to , so they can make an informed decision whether or not they want to take action to save the house.

"We didn't find anything convincing," Bowling said.

The house is owned by Kent State University and is in the path of the planned . That means the house must either be moved or it will likely be demolished to make way for the path, which is scheduled to be under construction this spring and summer. to make way for the new pathway.

University officials have said they are willing to sell the house for $1 to someone with the wherewithal to relocate and save it should it be determined to have historic significance to Kent. The house reportedly dates to the 1850s.

City employees conducted the inspection Tuesday because the city is handling design and contract work for the Esplanade project on behalf of Kent State.

Workers ripped down drywall in an upstairs bathroom of the house to try and find a window that is visible in old photographs but has since been covered up as part of Tuesday's examination.

Bowling said he is hopeful to take the information on the house to council later this month or in April.

"We're still in the evaluation phase," he said.