Sacramento School Closures Prompt Worries Of Blight, Homeless Camping Out
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A year after an adult school was shut down, neighbors say it's become a hangout for the homeless.
The Sacramento City Unified School District still owns the property that housed the Fremont School in Midtown Sacramento.
It's a problem that could get even worse with seven other schools recently closed by the district.
"I kind of liked having the school there," said Bill Kern, who lives nearby.
Those living in Midtown say their feelings about what is left of Fremont School for Adults have changed.
"I was sad to see it close."
He says in the year since the historic school was shut down, the grounds have gone from groomed to grimey—trash littering the lawns and doorways evidence of new tenants.
""It's become a residence for people on the move, homeless."
And it's not just Bill frustrated. Neighbors say those looking for shelter go into the charming alcoves of the building.
Gabe Ross with the district says the school is under electronic surveillance, but admits resources are limited. The priority he says is to the get the building a real tenant.
"We have a district security staff, albeit a small, who is out almost daily," he said. "We're currently working with some community partners on a plan to potentially fill that facility so it will no longer be vacant, we hope to be able to announce something in the next couple months."
But the district has more work cut out for it—it decided to shut down seven elementary schools just this year - now also potential blights
Ross promises they're working fast.
"Is that an attempt for the district? Absolutely, look, when we closed, when we made the hard decision to close those schools that we need to put a plan together very soon."
