Area’s Northrop School is among buildings available for reuse

Seven schools are vacant and available for reuse by community groups, nonprofit organizations and other purposes, according to the Facilities Reuse Planning team for the Minneapolis School District.

Schools include Howe, Cooper, Hamilton, Phillips, Northrop and Willard (less the Gordon Center). The Howe School is located at 3733 43rd Ave. South; Cooper School is at 3239 44th Ave. South.

At the Aug. 30 Minneapolis Board of Education meeting, guidelines and limitations for the reuse of the vacant school buildings were recommended. Public input on these recommendations is encouraged throughout the reuse process, which will include setting restrictions on the type of activities or programs that will be permitted at the vacant buildings.

The facilities reuse planning process will seek proposals from interested parties, and community meetings to be held this fall will provide an open forum for discussion on the future of the buildings. All meetings will be announced in advance, and will be coordinated by individuals from the host neighborhoods where the schools are located.

The facilities reuse plan includes some limits and restrictions, including: any plans must follow Minneapolis zoning regulations; the District will not reuse the sites for PK-12 charter schools or private schools; the Phillips School, located 2300 Chicago Ave., can be purchased outright, but all of the other sites will be leased and will remain District property; no proposals for demolition of the buildings will be considered; and any permanent modifications or site enhancements must receive written District approval.

The reuse planning team is seeking individuals willing to participate in their outreach effort as fall community meetings are planned. Those who would like to become involved may submit their contact information by Monday, Sept. 26. More information is available by contacting the planning team at (612) 336-9601. The team can be emailed at MPS ReusePlan@mpls.k12.mn.us or visit the website www.mpls.k12.mn.us.