The St. Louis school board has voted to demolish three long-vacant school buildings.
St. Louis Public Radio reports that Euclid, Scullin and Hempstead schools were all closed years ago because of declining enrollment.
The demolitions are estimated to cost about $3.6 million. The district plans to use insurance payouts from last year’s tornado damage to cover the expense.
The district says it has not demolished any vacant school buildings recently in hopes developers would consider buying the properties and converting them into affordable housing or recreation centers.
But as the years passed, the empty buildings have continued to decay — often leading to complaints from residents who live near the schools and say the buildings attract crime.
Scullin Elementary School is listed for $324,700. Euclid School was badly damaged in a tornado and is listed for $214,512. The value of the Hampstead Elementary School property was not immediately available.
The demolitions are expected to begin sometime this summer.
