Bristol, Virginia City Council Approves Sale of Two Vacant Elementary School Buildings

In a unanimous decision, the Bristol, Virginia City Council has given the green light to the sale of two vacant elementary school buildings. The schools in question are Washington-Lee Elementary and Stonewall Jackson Elementary.

The successful bidders for these properties are developers Clyde Stacy and James Bunn. Both properties were sold for a price of $150,000 each. While some may argue that the buildings could have been sold for a higher price, Mayor Becky Nave said, “I think while some people may say that’s not enough… we’re excited…with several of the bids we received on them were for zero.”

Nave emphasized that the transaction is significant, considering the high costs associated with refurbishing these old structures. “It takes millions and millions of dollars to fix up those buildings and to turn it into whatever they’re wanting to do with them,” she added.

Future Developments

The plans for these schools are quite ambitious. The Stonewall Jackson Elementary School building is set to be transformed into a boutique hotel. Meanwhile, Washington-Lee Elementary will become a multi-use residential area with some retail spaces. The developers have a strong local reputation, with Stacy being a co-owner of the Bristol Casino and Bunn having developed commercial properties such as the building housing Michael Waltrip Brewing.

Mayor Nave expressed her satisfaction with the developers chosen. “I was really excited to see the names that came through bidding on those schools because they have done many projects in this area and been very faithful and good to our community,” she said. “So to think about these two investors coming in, bidding on these properties, I know they’re going to do the best thing for our community.”

What’s Next?

The sale is expected to be finalized by this fall or winter. Following the finalization, the projects will need to go through the Planning Commission for rezoning, which means there will be opportunities for public input.

“It’s also an opportunity for public input,” said Nave, encouraging citizens to engage in the planning process and voice their opinions during commission meetings.

Highland View Elementary – Still Up For Grabs

While the sales of Washington-Lee and Stonewall Jackson seem promising, Highland View Elementary has not received any bids. Nave remains optimistic, voicing open-mindedness to putting the property back on the market. “One of the bids we did get was from our police department for Washington and Lee to put a training center in. We still may want to look at doing that at Highland View.”

Decisions will be up to the city council to decide the next course of action. However, there’s a persistent hope that developers will see potential in Highland View as well.

Public Awareness

This process has been ongoing since March, with the city making extensive efforts to inform the public. “We put it out there on all types of platforms to get the bids on these schools,” Nave pointed out, disappointed that some citizens claimed they were unaware of the sales.

For those interested in keeping up with future developments and decisions, Nave encourages attendance at city council meetings or tuning in online.

These transactions signify a significant step towards repurposing and revitalizing unused properties in Bristol, Virginia. By selecting developers with a proven commitment to the community, the council is optimistic about the beneficial impact these projects will have on the local economy and community.

Conclusion

The Bristol, Virginia City Council’s decision to repurpose old school buildings into potentially lucrative business ventures is a testament to their forward-thinking approach. With developers like Clyde Stacy and James Bunn on board, the future looks bright for these vacant structures. The community now has the exciting opportunity to watch as these plans come to fruition and ensure they align with everyone’s best interests through public engagement and feedback.