School District 43 is seeking expert advice as it wades into the world of real estate sales and land development for four surplus school properties.
Following up on last year's extensive Learning, Lands and Neighbourhoods consultation, the local board of education is looking for a firm with expertise in land development, real estate and marketing strategies to help stickhandle the disposal of lands at Coronation Park elementary in Coquitlam and Moody elementary in Port Moody as well as a portion of Parkland elementary school fields and nine lots at Victoria Park, both in Coquitlam.
SD43 secretary treasurer Mark Ferrari confirmed the district has issued a request for proposals for a "land value capture team" on the BC Bid website and is looking to pre-qualify a firm that it can call upon for help as it works through various required processes.
"We can use it for other projects, as well, if we can find a qualified firm," said Ferrari, who said the district still has a lot of work to do before it can dispose of the lands that were identified last fall as surplus to the district's needs.
Finding a firm with the right expertise is the next phase in a long-term plan to make use of the district's assets to help fund other needed schools.
Last October, the district consulted with the community on various proposals and in January voted to sell a portion of Parkland elementary fields, work with the city of Coquitlam on an agreement for a portion of Victoria Park, sell Coronation Park school, which was closed several years ago, and move Moody elementary school to the current location of Moody middle after that school is rebuilt at the back of the property at St. Johns and Buller streets.
Coquitlam council has already rezoned and changed the official community plan to allow the northeast portion of Parkland elementary to be subdivided for eight single-family homes.
