The River Valley School District will open bids this week for the sale of its vacant Three Oaks Elementary building.
River Valley Superintendent David Campbell tells us the district vacated the building at 100 Oak Street in Three Oaks in 2023 when it opened a new elementary facility.
In 2024, the district entered into an agreement with the Pokagon Fund for the fund to purchase Three Oaks Elementary so it could be rented out to various non-profits and community agencies. However, that deal fell through when the Pokagon Fund determined it would be too expensive to renovate and operate the facility. Campbell says the district’s disappointed that didn’t work out, but it’s looking for another buyer.
“It’s a wonderful vision that has been worked on for years here to develop a community center for Three Oaks,” Campbell said. “So, we’re disappointed, but we understand and we put the building up on the market, up on an open bid process.”
Campbell says the district wants to make sure Three Oaks Elementary goes to a responsible buyer who won’t let it become a disused eyesore for the community.
“It’s a good-sized school and it’s fundamentally in good shape. I mean, it needs work like any old school would need, some renovation work, but fundamentally, the building is sound.”
Campbell says the building could be turned into apartments, condos, or a community center. Some have suggested it could also be a retirement home, but he says that comes with tricky building codes to navigate.
Campbell tells us the district has received interest in the 25,000 square foot facility first built in 1951, and it will open bids on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in his office. He’s looking forward to learning who’s seeking to buy it.
