“The buildings have sat empty for 12 years.
“Several are architecturally significant with striking details and character taking up multiple city blocks. But many are in rough shape, with copper stripped from the pipes, broken windows, and graffiti covering walls. One had to be torn down after an extra-alarm fire last year.
“Now, Chicago Public Schools aims to sell the former schools, putting 20 properties out to bid once again, with the hopes of seeing them repurposed and the possibility of bringing in around $8.2 million and avoiding spending more on future upkeep.
“‘Our goal is not to sell them for the highest dollar amount, really. It’s to find the most responsible, compatible use,’ said Stephen Stults, director of real estate for CPS. ‘What we get paid, of course, helps with our budget challenges. But they’ve been sitting there long enough, and we need to do everything we can to try to get them repurposed.’
“The solicitation for bids, which are due May 30, includes mostly school buildings closed in 2013. Each property includes a minimum bid and all properties have schools on them with the exception of one on the Near West Side.
“Even though many vacant schools are not in great condition, Stults said the ‘bones of the buildings’ are good. Demolition may be expensive, but so is rebuilding a core structure. After the deadline, he said the district will consider all bids and select the two ‘highest and most responsible’ to present to the school board, as required by state law. Stults anticipates bringing some building sales to the board before the end of the calendar year.
“CPS put 47 buildings up for sale and sold two dozen properties in subsequent years for a collective $38 million. Some have been redeveloped into luxury housing or private schools. One was torn down to make way for 30 new single-family homes and another was rehabbed into a union hall.
“More recently, the former Emmet Elementary in Austin opened as a gleaming workforce training facility after a more than $40 million renovation supported by city, state, and philanthropic money. The former Overton Elementary in Grand Boulevard on the south side slowly transformed into a community hub with weekend market events and a community garden.” (Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago, 5/12/25)
Read the full story at Chalkbeat Chicago
- For sale: 20 old Chicago school properties, Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago, 5/12/25
- After School Closings, a Renovation Challenge; Ten years ago, Chicago enacted the largest mass closure of schools in US history. Here’s how architects gave some buildings a second life, Zach Mortice, Bloomberg CityLab, 10/9/23
- Chicago School Closures: Ten Years Later, Elizabeth Blasius, MAS CONTEXT
- Closed Chicago Public Schools, a Preservation Chicago 2014 Chicago 7 Most Endangered