Half a year after sale approval for former east-side school, what’s happening?

Some residents near the former Blackbear Bosin Academy not far from 13th and Woodlawn are wondering what the latest is with the property.

In February, the school board approved a $500,000 sale of the school to Garvey Ventures, but the deal hasn’t been finalized.

The firm has been studying the property and what it potentially could put there. In June, the school board approved Garvey’s request to extend the due diligence period to this fall.

“It’s an odd-shaped parcel, and so not everything kind of fits efficiently,” said Robert Taylor, who is representing Garvey.

Taylor said the building, which was built in 1956 as Price Elementary School, is full of asbestos and must be demolished.

Initially, the firm said it likely would put housing on the site, which sits on more than six and a half acres at 6123 E. 11th St.

“We’re looking at that very closely,” Taylor said.

Current zoning also allows for parks, libraries and community centers among other things.

Taylor said seeking rezoning could be a possibility as well.

He said as soon as the company gets further along in what the best use might be, it plans to engage the neighborhood and public.

“We just want to be careful about how we do it.”

Look for more information this fall, likely around October.