Rochester Community Schools to Seek Proposals for Former School Site
(RCS, June 28, 2026)
ROCHESTER, MI. – Rochester Community Schools will release a Request for Proposal on Thursday, July 2, 2026, for parties interested in purchasing approximately 4.34 acres of real property located at 501 W. University Drive in the City of Rochester, Michigan. The property is zoned 401 residential and includes an existing three-story structure containing approximately 89,716 square feet of gross building area.
All proposals, required forms, and pricing must be submitted electronically on BidNet Direct at https://www.bidnetdirect.com by Aug. 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. local time.
The RFP will also be posted on the district website at https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/about-us/departments/purchasing. Interested parties are asked to confirm their intent to purchase the property by emailing purchasing@rochester.k12.mi.us by July 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. local time.
District administrators will begin the process of reviewing proposals following the deadline for submissions. Any recommendations for the sale of the property will be presented by the superintendent to the school board for approval.
During the May 18, 2026, meeting, the Board of Education authorized the district to release an RFP for the sale of the property, which was essentially vacated in August 2022.
“I think what we need to do is focus on buildings that have students in them now. We’re a school district. We’re not historic preservationists. We’re not real estate speculators. I do think the right thing to do is put an RFP out,” said Vice President Jayson Blake.
An earlier RFP to sell the property was released in 2022. The district received seven offers ranging from $0 to $2.1 million; however, all offers were declined at that time.
The original building, initially known as Avon School District #5 Schoolhouse (or Rochester School) and then renamed the William S. Harrison School, was built in 1889 on Fourth Street and Wilcox. Rochester High School was built on the same site in 1916. Rochester High School was then connected to the Harrison School building with an addition in 1928. The expanded complex housed classrooms until approximately 1973; the building was then repurposed to accommodate administration offices. The building was last renovated in 1988.
“Bond and millages have been passed over the years, and some of those dollars were invested in this property. However, the building’s needs far exceeded available resources. Past boards chose to invest in facilities that directly served students, which is where, in my personal opinion, those tax dollars are best spent,” said Board President Barb Anness.
Superintendent Nicholas Russo had previously conducted a districtwide facility usage study that could identify potential considerations for 501 W. University Drive. “Based on results of our master property planning engagement, our five-year projection does not indicate that the district needs the 501 W. University property at this time or in the foreseeable future,” said Russo.
Looking forward, Anness conveyed her gratitude, stating, “We appreciate the community members who have expressed an interest in the property and shared ideas for its use. All eligible candidates are encouraged to submit a proposal.”
