Jeffco Schools “anticipates receiving an offer from Lakewood for Emory”

Lakewood still publicly denies any interest in purchasing Emory Elementary but that’s not stopping plans from moving forward. The plan still seems to be for Lakewood to act on behalf of the Action Center. The Action Center has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Lakewood residents know more about what Lakewood is doing from Jeffco Schools than from their representative government or the recipients of government efforts and/or funds. Given the amount of public interest in this process and the lack of transparency, the following seems to be a fair summary:

The opaque City of Lakewood is working with the unaccountable Action Center to buy a closed public school without gathering resident support for their plans.

According to the School Board, “Given where this is in the process, now would be an appropriate time to use that link” for community input.

https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/services/facilities/property-disposition

Residents of Lakewood might appreciate a public comment period through Lakewood before Lakewood even makes the offer but that does not seem to be considered.

From Jeffco Schools Property Disposition Update dated May 20:

“Earlier this year Jeffco added a “municipal interest process” to its Property Disposition Process, following feedback from city leaders within the district. This additional step allows time for Jeffco and the city or county to discuss and evaluate the proposed use of the property before it is marketed for sale.

The City of Arvada has expressed interest in the Parr property, and Jeffco will move forward with the municipal process to allow the city to prepare a formal proposal for its use or acquisition of the site. The Board of Education voted to surplus the Parr property on April 11.

Additionally, the district anticipates receiving a proposal from the City of Lakewood for the Emory property. The Board of Education voted to surplus the Emory property in November 2023.

Once concepts or plans have been received and evaluated, Jeffco will engage with the community to share information and gather feedback.”

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