DULUTH — The $7.4 million sale of Central High School to a developer will not move forward, according to a news release Monday evening from Duluth Public Schools.
The developer, Saturday Properties, notified the district Friday. The plan was to create a multi-phase, mixed-density, mixed-income housing project on the land at 800 E. Central Entrance.
"While we are disappointed by this news, we are completely confident that the property has unique value for a future developer,” Superintendent John Magas said in the news release.
The district is still planning on moving forward with the demolition of the building this year to "allow the property to become shovel ready for future development," according to the release.
The district continues to work with the city of Duluth on its services center and transportation facilities, which will be located on the rear one-third of the property. Construction and site work are expected to begin this spring, with completion in 2023. The property continues to be marketed as for sale by Follmer Commercial Real Estate.
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“We are excited by the potential this property has to offer a developer as well as the economic benefit for the Duluth community,” CFO Cathy Erickson said.
The district closed on the $3 million sale of Historic Old Central High School, 215 N. First Ave. E., with Saturday Properties on Feb. 9. That sale is unaffected by the termination of the Central High School purchase agreement.