Shuttered schools may have new owners soon

On these very pages two months ago, I wrote about the Minneapolis schools trying to sell off about a dozen closed schools to the highest bidder.

No sales have occurred, but the topic has generated some interest and further intensified discussions about a few sites.

Will Howe be converted to living/work space for artists, to the chagrin of some who live within earshot? Is the University of Minnesota still interested in Tuttle in Northeast and now possibly Willard and Lincoln on the North Side?

Or will the district accept charter school Dunwoody Academy's months-old bid to make Lincoln its new home? And what about the other schools?

"We're much further along in the process," said Steve Liss, the district's operations director. "We've now gone from the planning to the implementation stage."

The district intends to keep three of the schools -- Cooper, Tuttle and Jordan Park -- to either use or lease for public or private use.

Two -- Franklin and Morris Park -- are probably the closest to being sold within three months, Liss said, but he's not taking down the "For Sale" signs yet.

He recently provided an update to anxious school board members eager to sell most of the more than 2 million square feet of acreage and some 800,000 square feet of buildings.

Here's the latest on the school sites most likely to be sold or redeveloped:

• Howe, at 3733 43rd Av. S.: Spirited debates continue to surround what to do with this school in South Minneapolis. A volunteer task force presented the board three options, including the aforementioned artists' quarters, senior housing or a charter school -- Minnesota Transitions has expressed interest. The district will look to the Longfellow neighborhood community council for direction.

It still might not satisfy some residents who live directly across from the school and are worried about its future.

"I think they are just really fed up," said Sarah Nassif, a Longfellow resident and Howe Reuse Task Force member. "The best solution is to get some quality people in there, but it's complex and not so simple as 'Building for sale, who wants to move in?'

"We all have to talk together and work this out. The entire neighborhood would be unhappy to see it torn down or go unused."

• Willard, at 1615 Queen Av. N., and Lincoln, at 2131 12th Av. N.: Liss said the district is talking to nearby residents, NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, the Urban League and the U about whether the schools could complement the U's soon-to-be built Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center.

"It could be a combination of either school or other education activities," Liss said.

Meanwhile, Dunwoody Academy has said it is prepared to make the district an offer for Lincoln.

"Why won't they sell to us? That's not for us to answer," said Ezell Jones, a businessman and vice chairman of the charter school's board.

"It's certainly possible they could fit into the plan," Liss said about Dunwoody. "They understand if they go into Lincoln, they would have to develop a partnership with other agencies because the building is so big" -- nearly 156,000 square feet.

"They only need about half the space."

• Shingle Creek, 5034 Oliver Av. N.: The district is hoping for a land swap with the Minneapolis parks. A proposal is forthcoming. "We'll see what kind of reaction we get," Liss said.

• Putnam, 1616 Buchanan St., and Holland, 1534 6th St.: The district is still awaiting further recommendations. The board should get an update early next month from district staff.

• Northrop, 1611 E. 46th St.: Senior housing seems to have the best shot as the district is seeking proposals from developers. The district also is interested in working with the city to develop the site. Liss hopes to sort out the process within the next month or so.

"We don't want to do anything short-term that would negatively impact our long-term strategy," Liss said. "We want to sell."

Terry Collins • 612-673-1790