CPS recommends bids for closed school sites; developers propose mixed-use and affordable housing
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Summary
District real-estate staff recommended accepting bids for the former Louis Armstrong and Paderewski school properties; developers propose adaptive reuse and mixed-income housing with deed restrictions and community meetings having informed the process.
The district’s real estate director presented recommendations on Jan. 14 to accept bids for two long-vacant school sites and described community engagement and deed restrictions attached to any sale.
Steven Stultz said he recommends the board accept a $100,000 bid from Breakaway Community Development for the former Louis Armstrong Elementary School (two-building site) and accept a $55,500 bid from p3 Markets LLC for the former Paderewski Elementary School site. Stultz noted each proposal includes deed restrictions that bar K–12 charter use and certain commercial activities, and require certificate of occupancy within five years.
Breakaway’s bid proposes an athletic training center and studio rental suites; p3 Markets proposed adaptive reuse and demolition of annexes to create a 42-unit housing development with a mix of 25 units targeted at 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) and other units at higher tiers, together with a later phase that would add additional affordable units and shared community space for an entrepreneurship center.
Board members asked staff about community concerns, whether attendees at community meetings understood AMI definitions, and how the district will hold buyers accountable for completion. Stultz said the district weighs financial capacity, prior experience and project readiness when recommending an award and agreed to provide quarterly updates on project milestones if the board approves the sales.
No final board vote on the sales was recorded at this agenda review meeting; acceptance would be acted on at the regular meeting requested for Jan. 29.
