Forsyth County receives one offer for former Skyland school; neighbors ask for more outreach before sale

Forsyth County presented commissioners on July 21 with a responsive offer to buy county‑owned property that reverted to the county after a prior occupant left the former Skyland Elementary/Family Services facility. County officials said they solicited competitive offers during a 90‑day offer period and received one formal bid.

Kirby Robinson, the county’s Community and Economic Development director, told commissioners the offer from a private developer, identified in the packet as Infill Delicate LLC, proposed to adapt the existing main and annex buildings into 35 dwelling units and had submitted a $150,000 purchase offer and a 5% deposit. Robinson said the county had advertised the property and shown it multiple times to prospective bidders. If the board proceeds, state law requires a 10‑day upset‑bid period once an initial offer is published; the county also has the right to reject any offer at the end of the process.

Several commissioners and community members urged the county to take extra steps to inform neighborhood groups before completing a sale. Commissioners said the property sits in an historically significant neighborhood and that residents and neighborhood associations reported they were not aware the property had been advertised for sale. A commissioner asked the county to provide the local neighborhood association an update and to consider giving the community additional opportunity to present proposals or explore options to preserve the site’s neighborhood function before the board takes a final disposition vote. Robinson said staff had circulated…