Board approves sale of former J.E. Robbins school site after neighborhood delegation raises concerns

The Kanawha County Board of Education voted 5-0 on May 5 to approve a contract to sell the vacant former J.E. Robbins Elementary School property (District 12, Map 11, Parcel 538) to Dean Properties LLC and CUS Properties LLC for $40,000.

Neighbors who said they have informally stewarded the site after demolition in 2019 spoke to the board before the vote. Allen Duff Jr., who identified himself as a 48-year resident of Beach Avenue, said a small 10-by-10 brick utility building containing the main gas shut-off valve remains on the lot and that Mountaineer Gas only recently added ventilation. Duff cited drainage and parking limitations on nearby narrow, one-lane streets and urged the board to weigh neighborhood impacts when deciding the property's future use.

The prospective buyer who identified himself as representing Dean Properties LLC told the board his company planned to build several two-bedroom rental homes and had consulted Charleston Reuse Land Association (CLA) on feasibility. He said the buyer had previously built homes in Kanawha City and owns multiple rental units in the area. Board members asked whether the buyer had consulted the city planning office and whether known gas-line and drainage issues had been investigated; the buyer said those were under review.

Board members acknowledged the neighbors' concerns but noted the district bears the maintenance costs and liability of a vacant parcel. The board's motion to sell passed by roll call 5-0. Dr. Williams and staff indicated that sale proceeds and responsibility for any required remediation or utility coordination will transfer to the purchaser upon closing; the board did not add use restrictions as part of the sale during the meeting.

The buyer and neighbors were encouraged to engage with the city planning office and other local agencies about setbacks, drainage and utility safety as the land-development process moves forward.