CPS To Sell Three More Shuttered School Buildings
(STMW) -- When De Duprey and Von Humboldt elementary schools were shuttered in June 2013 as part of a historically large school closing process, the surrounding community wondered what would happen with the hulking 100-year-plus old building that housed both schools in Humboldt Park.
Like other schools already sold, Chicago Public Schools implemented conditions for the buyer's use: educational and day care programs, office space, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
But unlike any other so far, CPS will sell the three-story structure at 2620 W. Hirsch only to someone who also will consider turning it into into housing for existing and retired public school teachers and make space for a restaurant, too.
That's according to CPS, which released a request for proposals Friday at www.cps.edu.
Aldermen with school buildings in their wards held meetings to solicit community input for the empty buildings' futures, but Ald. Proco "Joe" Moreno did not return calls for comment so it's not yet known how the housing project could be open just to teachers.
The district also has listed the former Near North Elementary school building, 739 N. Ada., in the River West neighborhood, for mixed-use residential and commercial development. That winning bidder must apply to seek landmark status with the city's Commission on Landmarks to maintain the historical character of the facade and structure, according to CPS.
And in Bronzeville, Overton Elementary school's main building, 221 E. 49th St., and branch at 4935 S. Indiana, must be used for "recreational, educational, counseling and mentoring programs; career, trade and entrepreneurial business training programs; or housing, retail and manufacturing or technology purposes."
Overton specifically "may not be used for the sale or manufacture of liquor or as a public, charter or tuition-free school," according to the RFP.
Schools chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett promised that none of the shuttered schools would become charter schools, since the schools were closed in the first place for lack of children.
Bids for all three schools must be submitted by April 27.
Of the 50 shuttered schools, CPS was left with 38 sites.
Lafayette, in Humboldt Park, was immediately handed over to the ChiArts High School — a contract school — and given about $17 million in upgrades and repairs. Canter Middle School in Kenwood will be used by Kenwood High School to house 7th and 8th graders accepted into its academic center.
And Dodge Elementary on the West Side was transformed into offices for CPS staffers who didn't fit into the new Loop office — at a cost of about $16 million.
Only two have sold so far. Peabody, 1444 W. Augusta, sold for $3.5 million to a group including Northwest Settlement, and Marconi in East Garfield Park for $100,000 to an organization that will host a new contract school. The operator is not yet known, according to CPS.
Wadsworth, 6650 S. Ellis, also listed once, failed to sell; the district has about a dozen properties for sale that preceded the controversial 2013 school closings.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
