Rochester Community Schools Looking To Sell Historic Piece Of Property

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Rochester Community Schools is looking to sell a historic piece of property.

School officials will release the request for proposal for the property located at 501 W. University Drive in Rochester. The 89,000-square-foot three-story building sits on 4.34 acres.

The decision comes after a board meeting on May 18 when members authorized the district to release an RFP for the sale of the property.

"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.

School officials said the property was essentially vacated in August 2022 when they first tried to sell the property.

The district said they received seven offers ranging from $0 to $2.1 million. Officials declined all those offers.

The administration building was originally built in 1889 on Fourth Street and Wilcox. It was initially known as Avon School District #5 Schoolhouse (or Rochester School) before it was renamed the William S. Harrison School.

Rochester High School was then built on the same site in 1916 and connected to the Harrison School building with an addition in 1928. The expanded complex housed classrooms until 1973. The building was then repurposed to accommodate administration offices. It was last renovated in 1988.

"Bond and millages have been passed over the years, and some of those dollars were invested in this property," Board President Barb Anness said. "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."

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," Russo said.

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.

Officials ask all 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.

The RFP will also be posted on the district website at https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/about-us/departments/purchasing.

School officials 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.

"We appreciate the community members who have expressed an interest in the property and shared ideas for its use," Anness said. "All eligible candidates are encouraged to submit a proposal."