DANVILLE (WSLS 10) - In Danville people can tour two schools the city is trying to sell. W. Townes Lea and Glenwood have been empty for about a year and a half.
The city says vacant buildings attracts vandalism and it is an expense. They are paying for electricity, staff to check on the buildings and repairs.
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Both schools are in neighborhoods. The Danville community development office says they believe the buildings will be used for mixed use not just retail space.
Sealed bids are being accepted until the end of March. Then city council will hold public hearings and discuss the proposals.
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The city of Danville has issued a request for proposals for adaptive re-use and development of the shuttered W. Townes Lea and Glenwood schools. W. Townes Lea school closed in 2012; and Glenwood school, in 2013.
The bid document is posted on the city's website at
www.danvilleva.gov
. An informal meeting, tour and open house for prospective bidders will be held on Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. at W. Townes Lea school and at 11 a.m. at Glenwood school.
W. Townes Lea school is a 37,701 square-foot building at 439 Cedarbrook Drive. It was built in 1962 and sits on 10.3 acres.
Glenwood school is a 28,000 square-foot building at 1540 Halifax Road. It was built in 1948 and sits on 6.3 acres.
Both structures are offered in "as is condition."
Sealed bids will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 31. Prospective bidders may submit a proposal for one or both properties.
Proposals will be evaluated by city staff and recommended to City Council for approval. Staff will consider the proposed use, community impact and benefit, acquisition price, finances, experience and development schedule.
An open house will be held on March 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building to gather input from the schools' neighbors and other interested citizens about development of the buildings.
City Council will discuss the proposals at its April 21 work session, and then hold a public hearing at its business session on May 5.
City Council voted five months ago to declare the former W. Townes Lee Elementary School and a portion of the former Glenwood Elementary School as surplus property. Danville Public Schools had transferred ownership of the school properties to the city on July 1.
The city will retain the Glenwood Recreation Center and playgrounds adjacent to the Glenwood school.