North Stonington seeking occupant for old middle school
North Stonington — With the school projects completed, the town is looking for a new occupant for its old middle school.
On July 6, the town began accepting requests for proposals for the middle school wing of the old Wheeler Middle/High School. First Selectman Mike Urgo said demolition of that part of the building had been an alternate option in the school building project, which resulted in the construction of a new middle/high school across the street and renovation of the elementary school. However, additional costs associated with the elementary school renovations led the town to reconsider.
The deed to the building, which is held by the Wheeler Library, requires that it be used for educational purposes. Urgo said it could be a good fit for a private school, technical school or special education program.
"We're looking for a community partner that thinks North Stonington is a good fit for them for all the reasons we love it here," he said. "I think it's conveniently located with our exits off (Interstate) 95 and it's a great space, really, with the cafeteria and all the things you would need."
The space, a total of 26,322 square feet, includes 16 classrooms. The town is hosting open houses from 4 to 6 p.m. July 16 and from 9 to 11 a.m. July 18 for interested tenants. Candidates can submit questions through July 24, and proposals must be submitted to Town Hall by Aug. 3.
"I think that in a perfect world, we'd love to have somebody in there by the fall," Urgo said, noting that the town had been approached in the past about using the building.
District offices and the Board of Education will remain in the front entrance area of the building. Urgo said the district may eventually look into renting the high school portion of the building, as there are no current plans to use it, but with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, administrators aren't sure yet whether they might need that space in the fall. Any rental of that wing would also be subject to the education requirement in the library deed.
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