INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The School District of Indian River County is testing the market for roughly 10 properties it no longer needs after consolidating schools.
The list includes four older schools, vacant office buildings and district-owned land scattered across the county. District officials say the space is surplus and expensive to keep.
“It’s just the space is not needed,” said William Dodds, the district’s Chief Financial Officer. “That’s not the best financial decision to try to maintain two buildings where we can do it in one.”
Any money raised would go into the capital budget. Dodds said the proceeds could help maintain existing buildings, make upgrades or pay for projects the district could not otherwise afford.
The district has hired Cushman & Wakefield to gauge interest. Ken Krasnow, with the firm, said the properties vary widely in condition and potential reuse.
“Some of these buildings are in better shape than others,” Krasnow said. He noted that some sites could work as medical offices or flex space. Larger parcels might support a mix of commercial or retail uses along the front with residential development behind them.
One property drawing attention is the former Rosewood Magnet School. Officials have not decided what would happen to any of the sites if sold.
No sales have been approved. District staff plans to review the level of interest and whether the sales still make sense sometime in December or January. Any final decision would rest with the School Board.
The process is still early, and nothing will move forward without board approval.
