Contributed By: The 411 News
More bids for the Gary school district properties in round two of bids.
Compared to results from the first round of bids to purchase a vacant Gary school building, the second round of offers came in as a whopping success.
Monday evening at West Side High School, Gary schools’ Emergency Manager Dr. Peggy Hinckley opened six proposals to purchase vacant school buildings. The school district only received one offer in the first round from the list of 33 school properties for sale. That offer came from the City of Gary for Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, on 35th Avenue near Carolina.
According to the bid document, the first round of bidding was open only to “any political subdivision that has territory where the real property is located and institutions of higher education with real property located in Indiana.” The second round, which ended August 24, was for all other interested parties.
Richardson Disposals, a demolition contractor which also operates as D&R Site Services made an offer of $35,000 for the school district’s old administration office building at 10th Avenue and Virginia Street.
Indiana American Water made an offer of $150,000 for Jefferson Elementary School, 601 Jackson Street. The two properties are adjacent. The utility is considering expanding to the Jefferson site.
Little Calumet Greenspace made an offer of $35,000 for Carver Elementary School, 2535 Virginia Street.
Environ Corp, from downstate Noblesville, put in a bid of $100,000 for Duncan Elementary School, 21st Avenue near Polk Street.
1ST Metro Developers offered $75,000 for Nobel Elementary School, 8837 Pottawatomie. The site is being considered for a housing development.
Gary Housing Authority offered $160,000 for Ernie Pyle Elementary School, 2545 W. 19th Place, near Ellsworth Street. GHA wants to build housing targeted to senior citizens and public sector employees – fire, police and teachers.
“It took a long time for our schools to get in this shape,” Dr. Hinckley said. “We’re in no hurry and we are not going to rush to sell these buildings.”
