Who Will Bid on Number Six School?

Now that voters have overwhelmingly rejected Simone Development Company’s $12.5 million proposal for the Number Six School, the bidding process starts again.

Last year, bids started coming in for the former Woodmere school from HALB and the JCC of the Greater Five Towns. After a few months, Simone placed its bid, with the school board accepting it in January. Shulamith also entered the running. Blumenfeld Development Group had placed a $13 million bid for the property, but the district did not accept because it did not meet all the conditions, officials said.

Whatever entity bids on the school property, one thing is for certain: the proposed project will have to take into account possible traffic concerns and leave some green space — the biggest issues raised by voters who voted no to Simone.

It is not known at this time when the bidding period will open, but here are a few possibilities of who may bid in the future:

JCC — Although the community center had the lowest bid of the bunch at $9.1 million, many community members voiced support for its possible move to the Church Avenue school.

HALB — The Long Beach-based yeshiva had bid $9.5 million for Number Six School, and may do so again.

Shulamith — The girls’ school in Woodmere was a popular option among School District 15 residents because its bid apparently would leave some of the fields for public use. It seems very likely Shulamith will bid on the school again.

Peninsula Public Library — Another popular option among Lawrence School District residents, the library has been looking for a new location for years now. Since PPL is taxpayer-backed, however, it would need some way to get the funds for a bid.

Blumenfeld — The Syosset-based developer had planned to build a large fitness center at Peninsula Boulevard and Branch Boulevard. However, Lawrence Board of Education Member Uri Kaufman stated the bid was turned down because it “was not something anyone wanted to see.”

Another medical developer — Although Simone’s plan to build a Mount Sinai-managed center was derailed by voters, rumors have swirled in the community about interest from other hospitals for the property.

Housing developer — Readers on Five Towns Patch have raised this option since it would return the property back to the tax rolls. The Number One School on Central Avenue was sold to a developer, which built a large apartment house at the property.

Who or what would you like to see bid on the property? Let us know in the comments section.