A former school building in Chikaming Township could become apartments under the plan of a Three Oaks developer.
River Valley School District Superintendent Dave Campbell tells us the board of education has approved the sale of the Chikaming Elementary School property to Granor Farm owner Rob Buono.
“We’re just more than excited that he’s looking at converting it into attainable housing, which is a huge issue in south Berrien County,” Campbell said. “He’s finding places for people to live that they can afford. So, we’re just really excited that he’s buying Chikaming Elementary School.”
Campbell says the school served the students well for decades but has been vacant since last June. That’s because the kids have moved to the district’s all grades location at River Valley Middle/High School.
“The Chikaming Elementary School served the kids and community of the Chikaming area for about 60 years.”
Campbell says he hears from prospective staff that they can’t find a place to live in southern Berrien County as apartments are scarce and expensive. So, he says the district is excited about Buono’s vision for the school site.
Buono put in a bid of $385,000 for the site, the highest received by the district.
