Trending
FAIRFAX -- Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Superintendent Jeff Horton said the sale of the former Fairfax Intermediate School to Retro Companies, Inc. of Burnsville was closed on Friday.
"We got it done," Horton said. "There was lots of paperwork that took time getting it all squared away."
Horton said the school property was sold for $53,000. Retro Companies got 35 acres of land, two gyms, an auditorium, industrial arts area, media center, cafeteria, offices and classrooms.
In addition, Retro Companies will replace gymnasium seating, upgrade locker rooms and a concession area that will be leased to the school district for $1 a year for 99 years, Horton said.
"They (Retro Companies) have a lot of great ideas on what to do with the property. They are providing upgrades. Costs will be significant to Retro Companies," added Horton. "They did a needs assessment and found there was a need for a mental health facility in the region."
Horton said the gyms will be accessible to the school district for youth programs and the City of Fairfax for possible uses such as adult basketball and volleyball leagues.
In addition, he said the property surrounding the school buildings may be used for new construction housing.
Horton said Fairfax City Administrator Nicholas Johnson, the City of Fairfax and Fairfax Economic Development Authority (EDA) "were very helpful with the transition of doing something positive in a really tough situation."
The Journal emailed Retro Companies Friday morning but did not receive a response as of Friday afternoon.
(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).