Buyer Closes Sale on Zion Property

The prospective use of the former Zion Bible College property on Middle Highway in Barrington remains educational, according to officials connected to the sale.

The eventual use of the 39.5-acre property off of Middle Highway on Primrose Hill, however, still remains something of a mystery.

The principal officials of the company, Shineharmony Holdings Inc., of Waltham, Mass., “do not appear ready” to state what the eventual use will be, said Wangni Tian, the buyer's broker at Sweet Home Realty in Newton, Mass. 

But it will be “educational in nature, some type of school,” she said.

“Their goal right now is to fix up the property,” Tian said. “They want to get the buildings livable. That is their priority right now.”

Closing of the sale to Shineharmony occurred last Friday, Dec. 9, without a hitch, according to Brad Martin, attorney for the Bible college now located in Haverhill, Mass.

Shineharmony, listed as a for-profit educational company, outbid Barrington developer Joseph Ruggiero of Ruggiero Properties. The sale price was $3.5 million with an additional 10 percent premium for the auctioneer for a total cost of $3.85 million.

Martin said, too, that the company continues to say only that it will be used for educational purposes. Two Shineharmony officials at the closing, including Tian, echoed Martin’s comments.

Sonya Salemi, the attorney for Shineharmony, said it is her understanding that its use will be educational. She provided no other elaboration.

Martin said the chairman of the board of the company, listed as Ming Chi, was at the closing. But he apparently does not speak English, and he did not provide any other information. Tian served as an interpreter for him.

Tian confirmed that she served in that capacity for him as well as serving as the buyer’s broker.

The listing with the Massachusetts Corporations Division indicates the company was formed by Liangming Qi of 11 Kings Grant Road, Weston, Mass. The listing also indicates that the company was incorporated just four days before the sale in late October, with Liangming Qi listed as registered agent, president, secretary, treasurer and director. It lists various business purposes, including education, investments and real estate.

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