The former Lake Street School in Auburn is among several city properties up for sale. The School Committee decided last year to downsize its Special Education program and vacate the building. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal file
AUBURN — The city is marketing several properties for redevelopment, including the former Lake Street School, which is closing next month.
According to a news release late last week, officials are hoping the two-story brick building at 80 Lake St. will “attract a developer who will reimagine the space and bring new life to the beloved building which was built in 1923.”
Late last year, the School Committee decided to downsize and vacate its Special Education program that had long operated at the school. The decision was based on information that necessary repairs were too costly for a building that serves less than two dozen students.
Mayor Jason Levesque has previously said he’d like the building to be redeveloped into market-rate housing.
The school is 14,820 square feet and sits on a 1.88-acre lot that connects to two other city lots on Fern Street.
Also for sale is 121 Mill St. in New Auburn, which the city is marketing as “a riverfront site with vast potential, including unique recreational opportunities.” The property includes a 15,000-square-foot building built in 1964 on 4.58 acres. The city briefly considered it for an emergency winter shelter this year.
“Selling city-owned properties to private developers to help add taxable value within our city is a key element of our growth strategy,” Levesque said in a release. “I’m looking forward to seeing what creative opportunities the private market brings forth for us to consider.”
The city is also selling two parcels at Vickery Road and South Main Street dubbed the Winter Oaks property, which totals more than 37 acres.
“We would really like to see this project focus on encouraging home ownership,” Jay Brenchick, director of economic development, said. “Each of these projects can help increase housing stock in Auburn.”
Brenchick said he believes new housing will “help stabilize rental and real estate prices.”
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