By Chad Paulin
After years of uncertainty, a decision about the future of the old Ottawa Technical high school may finally be made in the next few months.
“It’s fair to say it’s a surplus to our needs,” says Albert Chambers, chair of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. “But we have to assess what’s the best option to pursue for this building.”
With the board reviewing its annual budget in the upcoming months, Chambers says he expects the almost-vacant building on Albert Street — and the adjacent school grounds — will be examined as the board tries to shed some of its surplus school space.
But some parents say there’s only one solution for the site if it can’t be used for classes.
“We should be unloading buildings like these,” says Joan Spice, chair of the Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils, noting money from the sale of the site could be used to help build new schools and renovate existing ones.
The building, which currently houses about 240 students in two alternative education programs, was closed as a regular high school in 1992. At that time, its enrollment was 443 students.
While some of the board’s administrative offices were also located in the building, they have since moved to other sites around the region.
Chambers says the board may consider selling the site, but only if it can get a fair price. They have been assessed by the province at about $15.5 million.
Spice says the board should sell properties that are not being used — such as the Ottawa Technical site — to help pay for new schools.
“Some children are spending all of their elementary school years in portables,” she says, noting money from sold property — which must be re-invested in other properties — can be used to build permanent classrooms.
Chambers agrees some of the board’s schools need renovations. He adds selling unused properties for their market value may produce the money to make that happen.
Spice says the board’s trustees must pressure board staff to determine whether the site can be sold for a reasonable price now. If so, she says the current need for funds would outweigh the possibility of holding onto the property until it’s worth more.
“We have to take into account whether we need the money now — and we do.”
For his part, Chambers says the board should move the students in the building to other schools downtown. Once it’s completely vacant, he says any decision about selling or keeping the site would become easier.
Real estate analysts say the site may be attractive for potential buyers.
“There is a demand for residential housing in the downtown core,” says Leonard Carty, a real estate appraiser. Since the site is close to downtown, he says many developers would likely eye the property as a site to build houses, townhouses or apartments.
Carty says the conversion of the former Immaculata high school grounds on Bronson Avenue to housing is proof that redeveloping inner-city areas can be a success.
But potential developers may have to wait.
Chambers insists the board will not make any decision about the site hastily, noting the board will first see if the site can be used for school-related purposes.
“We have to look at what we can do to maximize our value,” he says. “There won’t be a fire sale of property.”