The Chicago Public Schools is selling 29 former schools without consulting communities. The buildings have been out for bid for two weeks.
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Some of the buildings must be used for specific purposes, including retail, manufacturing, career training programs, or housing, according to pre-established agreements with local residents. None of them can be used for charter schools.
The former Dett Elementary School cannot be used for storing chemical or hazardous substances, and Attucks/Farren can’t be used to make liquor.
Dwayne Truss, a member of the Austin Community Action Council, told the Chicago Reporter, “CPS and the mayor’s office could have said ‘Let’s figure out a way to make these buildings work for the community on the West and South sides to create value,’ but there’s just no intention of doing that.”
District spokesman Michael Passman said that the expedited process is to “accelerate the reuse and revitalization of former school sites” which CPS believes will increase the likelihood of sale.
There won’t be any public meetings during the bidding, but aldermen will be consulted after CPS negotiates with the two highest bidders.
Neighborhood news for January 26, 2017
- A University of Chicago charter school will leave behind an empty school building in Woodlawn when it moves into its new building (DNAinfo)
- A small Target inside of a new 7-story residential building is proposed for parking lot next to Loyola Red Line station (49th Ward)
- Urban Partnership Bank closes its Pullman location inside of a Walmart, its third location in a year (Crain’s)
- While single-family homes take up most of the space in Jefferson Park, most people live in multi-family housing. Daniel Hertz describes how neighborhood geometry affects decision-making on land use & zoning.
- Defying my expectations, and the outcry of some Jefferson Park residents, a proposal near the transit center gets more units and fewer parking spaces, before final approval next month (Curbed)
- LISC helps residents in Large Lots communities plan and find funding to turn their ideas for the new vacant land they own into reality
- There are only 6 days left to apply to purchase a Large Lot for $1; you must own property on the same block in one of the 34 community areas
- The Cook County Land Bank Authority, which acquires and renovates dilapidated housing to resell, is hiring for two real estate positions
- Cook County and Elevate Energy made a solar map to show how much energy could be gained from solar panels atop specific buildings