Let Them Be Schools Again
"27 school buildings are vacant, and district restrictions prevent sale to possible competitors."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 31, 2010, front page
Many, if not all, of these vacant structures could be sold to private schools were it not for a deed restriction imposed by Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) that bars use of these buildings for non-MPS schools. The estimated market value of these properties is about $34.7 million. It costs MPS about a million dollars per year just to maintain them.
The only apparent reason for the restriction is to prevent the former schools from becoming sites for the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, which is partially funded by a deduction in state aid to MPS based on enrollment in Choice schools.
If the buildings were located in "hot" development areas of the city, such as Water Street or the Third Ward (southeast of downtown), the deed restriction might be defensible. But about half are between Capitol Drive and I-94 and between the Milwaukee River and Sherman Blvd. None are east of the River. Developers are not avid about turning any of them into lofts or condos.
Most of the buildings are old, several more than a century, and are typically two or three stories high. The schools were closed as MPS enrollment dropped from an all-time high of about 120,000 in the late 1960's to about 85,000 today. The decline has been due to both a decline in city population (from just over 700,000 in 1960 to about 600,000 now) and about 20,000 students opting for the state-funded voucher program. Even in the unlikely event that MPS enrollment bounced back up, many (if not all) of the vacant buildings would be unsuitable for use by MPS due to their present condition and obsolete designs. If more space is needed in the future, it would make more sense to build new schools using the latest green technology and electronic connections, rather than try to rehab these vacant buildings.
Even so, apparently some private and charter schools want to buy the vacant former schools. For example, Milwaukee College Prep, a charter school, tried to buy the old 38th Street School (2623 N 38th St.) Given the paucity of buildings in the city suitable for school use, many private schools are now housed in structures built for other uses, such as stores and churches. For these, a rehabbed closed school building would be an improvement.
It is time for the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to drop the deed restriction that makes it virtually impossible to sell the vacant schools. Incumbents that prefer to "squat" on these old structures just to prevent other schools from using them should face the wrath of the voters on April 5.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 31, 2010, front page
Many, if not all, of these vacant structures could be sold to private schools were it not for a deed restriction imposed by Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) that bars use of these buildings for non-MPS schools. The estimated market value of these properties is about $34.7 million. It costs MPS about a million dollars per year just to maintain them.
The only apparent reason for the restriction is to prevent the former schools from becoming sites for the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, which is partially funded by a deduction in state aid to MPS based on enrollment in Choice schools.
If the buildings were located in "hot" development areas of the city, such as Water Street or the Third Ward (southeast of downtown), the deed restriction might be defensible. But about half are between Capitol Drive and I-94 and between the Milwaukee River and Sherman Blvd. None are east of the River. Developers are not avid about turning any of them into lofts or condos.
Most of the buildings are old, several more than a century, and are typically two or three stories high. The schools were closed as MPS enrollment dropped from an all-time high of about 120,000 in the late 1960's to about 85,000 today. The decline has been due to both a decline in city population (from just over 700,000 in 1960 to about 600,000 now) and about 20,000 students opting for the state-funded voucher program. Even in the unlikely event that MPS enrollment bounced back up, many (if not all) of the vacant buildings would be unsuitable for use by MPS due to their present condition and obsolete designs. If more space is needed in the future, it would make more sense to build new schools using the latest green technology and electronic connections, rather than try to rehab these vacant buildings.
Even so, apparently some private and charter schools want to buy the vacant former schools. For example, Milwaukee College Prep, a charter school, tried to buy the old 38th Street School (2623 N 38th St.) Given the paucity of buildings in the city suitable for school use, many private schools are now housed in structures built for other uses, such as stores and churches. For these, a rehabbed closed school building would be an improvement.
It is time for the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to drop the deed restriction that makes it virtually impossible to sell the vacant schools. Incumbents that prefer to "squat" on these old structures just to prevent other schools from using them should face the wrath of the voters on April 5.
Labels: Milwaukee Public Schools, vacant
posted by Gerald S Glazer at 2:28 PM
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