Introduction to Chicago Public Schools’ Vacant Properties
Chicago Public Schools has identified buyers for three former school properties on the South and West Sides, two of whom are planning to build new housing and a third who wants to open a community center.
Background on the Properties
The district is seeking the Chicago Board of Education’s approval at its next meeting on Dec. 18 to sell the old Bontemps Elementary in Englewood on the South Side for $75,000, the old Henson Elementary in North Lawndale on the West Side for $25,000, and the former Shedd Elementary, which last served as a satellite building for Bennett Elementary, in Roseland on the Far South Side for $25,000. All three buildings closed in 2013.
The Challenge of Repurposing Vacant Schools
The proposed sales come after CPS put 20 properties on the market in May. Stephen Stults, the district’s director of real estate, said they got bids for 12 properties. Chicago’s struggle to repurpose dozens of vacant school properties has taken more than a decade. The district has made multiple past attempts to sell them and many either had no buyers or pending deals fall through. CPS spends roughly $75,000 to $150,000 annually to maintain each vacant property, Stults said.
Plans for the Properties
The potential buyer for the old Shedd Elementary building at 99th and Indiana Ave. is the Peace for Preston Foundation, led by Dionne Mhoon, the mother of slain Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston. Two years ago, Mhoon launched a GoFundMe to support the foundation and raise money for a community center in honor of her daughter. Mhoon’s bid for the old Shedd school is $25,000.
Community Support and Involvement
Elected school board member Carlos Rivas said Wednesday he was Preston’s college counselor in the 2015-16 school year when he worked at Noble’s UIC College Prep. School board member Michilla Blaise urged CPS officials to lean on the 21 board members elected and appointed to represent their communities to help get the old schools repurposed.
Plans for Henson and Bontemps
Both buyers for Henson and Bontemps want to demolish the old schools and construct new housing. In the case of Henson, buyer Melvin Bailey of MKB Business Strategies told Chalkbeat that he plans to build about 27 single family or two-flat homes on the property. Devereaux Peters, a former WNBA player turned affordable housing developer, is offering $75,000 to purchase the Bontemps school in Englewood.
Conclusion
The sale of these properties is a step forward in repurposing vacant schools in Chicago. The community center, housing developments, and other projects planned for these sites will help to revitalize neighborhoods and provide much-needed services and amenities to residents.
FAQs
- Q: How many vacant school properties does Chicago Public Schools have?
A: Chicago Public Schools has dozens of vacant school properties. - Q: How much does CPS spend to maintain each vacant property annually?
A: CPS spends roughly $75,000 to $150,000 annually to maintain each vacant property. - Q: What are the plans for the old Shedd Elementary building?
A: The Peace for Preston Foundation plans to open a community center at the old Shedd Elementary building. - Q: What are the plans for the old Henson and Bontemps schools?
A: The buyers for Henson and Bontemps plan to demolish the old schools and construct new housing.
