OAKLAND COUNTY, MICH. – A 1920s school building in Oakland County has been officially approved for demolition, despite public outcry and protests from the community.
Neighbors in Keego Harbor have fought for months to stave off the demolition of the century-old Roosevelt Elementary school building. The building was closed in 2022, and has since been heading for demolition.
But, at the eleventh hour, a $1.7 million offer was made to save the school and repurpose the property. On Monday, March 18, the West Bloomfield School District -- which owns the historic school building -- received the offer from an architect from Berkley and a business owner whose letter said they were willing to buy the school.
Neighbors begged the school board to slow down the demolition and consider the offer. The hope was that the building would be repurposed into apartments or condos. But the school board voted down the idea.
“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.”
On Monday night, the school board voted 4-2 to proceed with the demolition and abatement of Roosevelt Elementary.
The school, which sits in the heart of Keego Harbor, has been closed since a partial ceiling collapse in the building in 2022. In response, the district closed the building for safety reasons and decided to sell the property, demolish it, and move on.
In September 2023, the district agreed on the plans. But, on Monday, March 18, the district put up a vote on the money it would cost to demolish and abate the school due to asbestos -- which is when the architect and businessman came forward with their letter of intent.
Leading up to the meeting, more than 1,400 people signed an online petition seeking to save the building. Hundreds of people also belonged to a social media group dedicated to saving the school.
The school board wasn’t interested in the $1.7 million offer, however. The school building, located on Cass Lake Road north of Orchard Lake Road, was approved Monday for demolition.
Watch Mara McDonald’s full report below.