Manchester seeks new use for old school

Joseph Villanova, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

May 4—MANCHESTER — Bidding is open for a town project to revitalize the long vacant Nathan Hale Elementary School.

The town issued a request for proposals Wednesday to find a private entity to reuse or repurpose the school building at 160 Spruce St. on the east side of town.

The school closed in 2012, leaving the building without a permanent and substantial use for more than a decade.

Bidding for the project is open until May 31, after which the town will establish a committee to review submissions.

Once the Board of Directors approves a project, the town would either sell Nathan Hale School or enter a long-term lease agreement on the property. Sale of the property is preferred, officials said.

Potential uses outlined in the request for proposals include mixed-use development, nonprofit use, office space, and educational programs.

Project guidelines also state a desire from the town for a new use for Nathan Hale in line with a study conducted in 2022 by Meraj Consulting that cost $75,000.

The consultant's report looked at community desires for the re-use of Nathan Hale School, as well as Robertson School on North School Street and Washington School on Cedar Street.

The report indicated that many community members wanted Nathan Hale to be used as a school or for housing, with community space included. General themes for re-use of the old elementary schools included community centers and support services for families.

The Nathan Hale building is used for some town functions, primarily by the recreation department, and is a polling location. The town envisions that a revamped property would remain available for these programs, including year-round adult pickleball and seasonal activities.

Possible proposals could range from organizations using part of the building to a comprehensive development of the entire property. The Board of Directors would consider accepting multiple proposals that address the community's needs.

The board also wants a connection between Nathan Hale and downtown Manchester so it can expand community access and tie into major planned developments, including the $39 million library project at 1041 Main St.

The proposal guidelines note the history of the town's efforts to re-use Nathan Hale School, dating back to the first community study in 2014. The town hired a firm to conduct an economic feasibility study based on community desires in 2015.

In 2018, the Odyssey Community School, a magnet school at 579 West Middle Turnpike, approached the town about moving into the Spruce Street building, but no official action was taken on the proposal.

The Board of Directors established a Repurposed Schools Committee in 2020, comprised of 22 members tasked with exploring reuse of the old elementary schools through June 2021.

The proposal states that the onset of the pandemic stalled the committee's work, leading to the Board of Directors forming a subcommittee in 2022 to continue the mission.

Joseph covers Manchester and Bolton for the Journal Inquirer.