The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting on July 27 to discuss plans for three unused buildings owned by the district. The board was told during a meeting this week the former schools are blighted and should be demolished. District CFO Scott Johnson said five companies have put in bids to do the work.
“Bard Elementary, Martindale Elementary, and North Shore School, all three of the buildings have asbestos in them,” Johnson said. “Removal of the asbestos is required before building demolition can begin. Asbestos removal is specialized work that requires special equipment and special procedures.”
Johnson said if the district waits beyond August 17 to make a decision, the cost of demolition would likely go up. However, there’s a broader question about those buildings. Trustee Reinaldo Tripplett weighed in.
“These places were neglected, and it almost looks like they were purposefully neglected,” Tripplett said.
Board President Dashuna Robinson said the matter could be discussed in depth at that July 27 meeting because she didn’t believe the board was ready for a vote yet. The meeting on the 27th will start at 5:30 p.m. at Benton Harbor High School.
