{"id":20465,"date":"2025-05-13T11:00:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T16:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/?p=20465"},"modified":"2025-05-13T11:00:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T16:00:26","slug":"cps-puts-wadsworth-up-for-sale-removes-south-shore-high-from-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/05\/13\/cps-puts-wadsworth-up-for-sale-removes-south-shore-high-from-market\/","title":{"rendered":"CPS Puts Wadsworth Up For Sale, Removes South Shore High From Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to CPS’ Sale of Closed Schools<\/h2>\n

More than half of the 20 former school sites made available for redevelopment by Chicago Public Schools are on the South Side \u2014 including the renovated Wadsworth Elementary School that most recently served as a migrant shelter. Some of the sites, including the former Armstrong, Kohn, Parkman, and Ross schools, have been vacant since the Chicago Board of Education voted in 2013 to close them in the largest mass closure of public schools in U.S. history.<\/p>\n

Condition of the Properties<\/h2>\n

Many of the properties have deteriorated for the past 12 years and require the district to pay for regular maintenance and security, officials said. \u201cThese schools are no longer in great condition,\u201d district property manager Jason Powell said. \u201cOver time, they\u2019ve been broken into, vandalized, stripped; people take electric, people take plumbing, break windows, any number of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Former Wadsworth Site<\/h2>\n

The former Wadsworth site at 6420 S. University Ave. in Woodlawn has the highest minimum bid of any of the sites at $3 million. Powell described the 120,000-square-foot building as being \u201cin very good shape.\u201d Wadsworth moved to 6650 S. Ellis Ave. in 2013 as it combined with Dumas Elementary School. The University Avenue building has not hosted a school since the University of Chicago\u2019s charter school moved out in 2017, though it served as a migrant shelter from February 2023 until spring 2024.<\/p>\n

Community-Led Process for Renovating Vacant Schools<\/h2>\n

Shortly after the Wadsworth shelter opened, organizers with the #SanctuaryForAll campaign demanded the city help redevelop the building \u201cinto a community resource that can be used after the asylum seekers leave.\u201d Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) in 2023 called for a community-led process for renovating vacant schools in her ward after she said former Mayor Lori Lightfoot\u2019s administration \u201cblindsided\u201d her with its Wadsworth shelter plans.<\/p>\n

Bidding Process and Requirements<\/h2>\n

CPS is accepting bids through 4 p.m. May 30, and bidders are \u201cstrongly encouraged\u201d to obtain a letter of recommendation from the local alderperson and school board members. The school district is looking to sell the properties to developers of projects that can create \u201ctangible community benefits\u201d like low-income or senior housing, public green space or space for community programs, said real estate director Stephen Stults.
\nThe blacktop behind Henson Elementary in North Lawndale where students used to play. The school is one of 20 Chicago Public Schools has made available for sale, with bids accepted through May 30. Credit:<\/span> Becky Vevea\/Chalkbeat<\/span><\/p>\n

Restrictions on Repurposing Properties<\/h2>\n

For now, the properties cannot be repurposed for any K-12 school. However, CPS may change that restriction to only ban charter schools from the sites in case \u201ca private school were interested in purchasing,\u201d Stults said. The winning bidder must also either secure a certificate of occupancy \u2014 the city\u2019s approval that the building is up to code \u2014 or demolish it within five years of receiving the deed, part of an effort to deter speculators from buying the properties.<\/p>\n

The Former South Shore High School<\/h2>\n

The former South Shore High School, 7627 S. Constance Ave., was initially among the properties for sale. However, it was removed from CPS\u2019 listings at the request of city officials, spokesperson Quan Vu said. Students moved out of the old South Shore High School in 2014 upon the opening of South Shore International College Preparatory High School, 1955 E. 75th St. The building most recently hosted a police and fire training facility.
\n\"\"The former South Shore High School, 7627 S. Constance Ave. Credit:<\/span> Maxwell Evans\/Block Club Chicago<\/span><\/p>\n

Other South Side School Properties for Sale<\/h2>\n

Other South Side school properties for sale, and their minimum bids:<\/p>\n