Community pushes for affordable housing while board advances property disposition process
Summary
Community members and local organizations urged the Albany County School District #1 board to favor workforce or permanently affordable housing for the Old Slade site; at the same time the board authorized property dispositions, surveying and listing and began negotiating offers for multiple district properties.
Several dozen residents, housing advocates and college-affiliated foundations urged the Albany County School District #1 board to prioritize affordable and workforce housing in decisions about Old Slade Elementary.
Kent Noble, representing the John P. L. Bogan Foundation Board and the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics at the University of Wyoming, told trustees that "housing stability is fundamentally an education issue," and reported his foundation committed $150,000 to help leverage community investment if the board pursues housing-oriented outcomes.
Multiple speakers detailed concrete proposals. Clayton Oski, a local real estate professional, described a 34-unit hybrid duplex proposal for 1212 Baker Street (discussed during public comment as part of broader housing advocacy). Jordan Bishop of Wyoming Neighbors for Housing urged selling Old Slade to the city for a 34-unit permanently workforce-attainable project. Laramie City Council member William Bowling, and others, framed the sale as a long-term community investment that could help retain teachers and other workers priced out of the city.
Simultaneously, the board moved forward with administrative steps required for property disposition. Operations staff recommended surveying Old Slade and listing the property; trustees authorized surveying services and listing with the district’s realtor. The board also approved submitting disposition requests to the School Facilities Commission for Old Slade, the Laramie Athletic Field Stadium demolition and the disposition of the central office (1948 Grand Ave) and special services building (509 S 9th).
The board also reviewed offers on specific properties. The City of Laramie submitted a $1,000,000 cash offer for 509 South 9th (special services), with a draft option for a seller rent-back. Trustees amended contract terms to negotiate rent and to change the tentative closing deadline to Dec. 1, 2026; they approved moving forward with the offer contingent on School Facilities Commission approval. For the central office at 1948 Grand Avenue, the board directed staff to counter at the listing price ($1,185,000), exclude network systems and the U-shaped reception desk from sale, and extend the closing to Jan. 30, 2027 for additional vacating and transition time.
Trustees split at times on the pace of property decisions. Some argued that delaying action would forfeit opportunities to capture higher market prices; others said accepting offers or setting budgets before community input and School Facilities Commission guidance would limit options for using proceeds to address teacher housing and other priorities.
Next steps: staff will complete surveys and legal descriptions, finalize counters and negotiate revised contract dates and rent-back arrangements, and submit disposition requests to the School Facilities Commission in February.
