Lakewood BOE To Transfer Ownership Of McKinley

[Jim O'Bryan]

Lakewood Board Proposes Transferring Former School Property to City

Deal for former McKinley Elementary stipulates residential use only
LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood Board of Education introduced a resolution at its Sept. 16 meeting that outlines a proposed sale of the former McKinley Elementary School property to the City of Lakewood.

In what Superintendent Jeff Patterson calls a “win-win” situation, the transaction would free the district from the responsibility of finding a buyer – allowing it to focus on its mission of education - and give the City a prime piece of property to help meet its economic development goals.

“We are not in the business of land development,” Patterson said. “We are in the business of educating students. The City is much better equipped to take advantage of this property, and we can focus our efforts on educating students.”

Proceeds of any sale of the property by the City would be returned to the District. The deal also calls for the District to contribute one-third of the cost to demolish the former school building, which sits on nearly three acres of land at 1381 West Clifton Boulevard, that would be returned to the District after a sale is made.

The proposed purchase agreement also requires that the property be used primarily for residential purposes and that no tax abatements or tax deferrals may be offered.

"The Board is working in cooperation with the City to use this unique opportunity to put 3 acres of land to the best use for the good of Lakewood. We envision a quality residential development that bolsters the City's property values,” Board President Edward Favre said.

The Board introduced the resolution on the purchase agreement as a first reading. The Board is meeting in a joint session on Oct. 7 with City Council and the two bodies are expected to further discuss the potential transaction then. Both bodies are expected to vote on the proposed sale at their respective Oct. 21 meetings.

McKinley Elementary was decommissioned in 2008 as part of the District’s Master Facilities Plan, which reduced the number of elementary schools from 10 to 7.

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[Kyle Weigand]

Good. Don't sell it to Brickman, or he'll convince the city it's in our best interest to grant a 20 year abatement...what, you don't think so? Why not? After all, they gave away river front lots gratis for a decade. "Couldn't make it work otherwise" he said. Golly, you must be right, Andy.

Now...on to the BOE building. Tear it down, develop the land and collect taxes. It's real easy. The BOE should be leasing space in one of the office towers, and should have been for decades now. Is anything more overdue than that?

I'm in a mood today, James...