OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH. – A 1920s school in the heart of Keego Harbor was slated for demolition, but after intense public outcry, an 11th-hour offer was made to save the school and repurpose the property.
On Monday (March 18) night, the West Bloomfield School District received a $1.7 million offer for the Oakland County property. Still, the school board voted 4-2 to proceed with the demolition and abatement of Roosevelt Elementary.
Roosevelt is over 100 years old and sits at the heart of Keego Harbor. In 2022, they had a partial ceiling collapse inside the building, and the West Bloomfield School District, which owns the property, said it wouldn’t work out.
So, they decided to sell the property, demolish it, and move on. The district in September of 2023 agreed, but on Monday, the district put up a vote on the money it would cost to demolish and abate the school due to asbestos, which brought along an architect from Berkley and a businessman came forward with a letter of intent to the district.
It’s been a real Keego community effort to save Roosevelt from the wrecking ball, and an architect and business owner came forward to make a $1.7 million offer for the property.
The letter basically said they were willing to buy the school for $1.7 million, which brought along neighbors who addressed the school board and begged them to slow down the demolition and consider the offer.
“There’s no denying that the community cares,” said Keego Harbor resident Kirsten Douglas. “As demonstrated by our voices and our solution oriented actions. I ask you to pause and change course. I’m asking you once again to listen to your community. A plan that we are passionate about. Stop the demolition. Make a fiscal responsible decision about Roosevelt. Consider that $1.7 million offer that J and S proposed, A decision that could provide affordable community housing and additional taxable income to the district. Please consider your community.”
The hope was that the building would be repurposed into apartments or condos, but the school board voted down the idea.
