Senate approves bill letting cities buy closed school grounds to preserve neighborhood open space

Senator Walker moved the first substitute of House Bill 446 to final passage, telling the Senate the measure would preserve school properties that have become ‘‘de facto parks’’ in built‑out urban neighborhoods.

The bill gives qualifying cities or townships a first option to purchase closed and surplus school properties in areas with population densities above 3,000 people per square mile, and requires the school district to declare the property surplus before a transfer. It sets the purchase price at the higher of the average of two appraisals (one by the district and one by the acquiring entity) or the original price paid by the district. Acquiring local governments must keep the land in public use; if they later surplus it, the district retains a right to repurchase at the same price plus the cost of improvements.

Walker said the measure balances fair compensation for districts with protection for taxpayers and neighborhood open‑space needs, especially where there is ‘‘no other option to provide recreational space for residents.’’ There was little debate on the floor. The bill passed on a roll call that the clerk recorded as 21 yes, 0 no, with 8 absent. The president will sign the bill in open session and return it to the House for its action.

The bill applies only to urban areas meeting the stated density threshold and includes guardrails on sale price and repurchase to protect school districts’ fiscal interests. Local governments that pursue acquisition must plan public uses in consultation with residents.

The measure now goes to the House for handling consistent with concurrence procedures.

The Senate recorded the vote and sent the enrolled bill to the president for signature before returning it to the speaker.