Mounds View Public Schools wants a judge to force the sale of a school bus garage to make room for a Mounds View High School expansion.
The school district filed papers initiating eminent domain proceedings Friday in Ramsey County District Court. They say they’ve tried negotiating the purchase of the nearby property but have not reached a deal.
The expansion project slated for early spring would add seven classrooms and renovate several others while expanding the cafeteria and kitchen and adding gym space. But construction would swallow much of the school’s on-site parking.
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Without the bus site, the district can’t meet the city of Arden Hills’ parking requirements, assistant superintendent John Ward said in an affidavit filed with the court.
First Student operates the bus garage and a real estate company owns it, according to the condemnation petition. Sean Regan, manager of SOR Real Estate, did not immediately return a phone call for this story.
School district voters in November approved up to $164.8 million in school construction bonds for the high school expansion and other projects.
The school board in December authorized eminent domain to be used for the bus garage.