Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Before they’re even officially in the market, potential buyers have shown interest in five of the closed Bristol Township elementary schools.
The news came at a recent meeting of community members, district officials and Jeff Darwak, deputy director of the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority (RDA).
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Darwak said the RDA has received request for information for the John Fitch, Abraham Lincoln, Maple Shade, George Washington and Lafayette school sites. He said the contacts the RDA has had have been with entities serious about the properties.
The RDA will be presenting formal requests for proposals to the school board for approval in the coming weeks. Once approved, the RDA will put the requests for proposal out and come back to the district to evaluate the offers.
Before the end of the year, the school board could be making decisions on the sale of some of the schools, according to Darwak.
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The volunteer Repurposing Committee has met over the last few months to work with the district, RDA and public to help direct Darwak as he has created the requests for proposals. Residents have suggested using the sites for housing, age-restricted communities, recreation centers, child care facilities, assisted living centers, advanced training centers and offices.
District officials have stated in the past that they like the idea of age-restrict housing due to the fact the incoming residents would pay school taxes but not add students.
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The Clara Barton Elementary School site is being considered for the district’s administration, operations and transportation center. The building will not be placed up for sale.
The district has consolidated from nine aging elementary schools to three new, larger buildings this school year. The district expects to save millions over the next few years due to the consolidation.
