MPS Rebidding Lincoln Avenue School Demolition
Fire-damaged school will remain standing for now.
Firefighters work to extinguish a second fire at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School on July 6. Photo by Urban Milwaukee staff.
The charred remains of Lincoln Avenue Elementary School will stand for several more weeks, at least.
After the school was destroyed in a five-alarm fire on June 30, Milwaukee Public Schools and city officials talked openly about a quick demolition to avoid the risk of collapse. But the structure has sat as a damaged mass ever since.
After issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to find a demolition contractor, MPS is going back to square one. It reissued the RFP Wednesday.
“Our initial request yielded one bid. To make sure that all possible partners are aware, and to create the best possible process to safely demolish this building, we reissued the request,” said a district spokesperson.
The district initially requested bids in mid-August, but that followed a district executive’s July 6 meeting that a RFP would be forthcoming “as fast as possible.”
Bids in the latest round are due Sept. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
The three-story building, 1817 W. Lincoln Ave., was constructed in 1917 and later expanded.
Video evidence shows that the source of the fire was rags in a hallway garbage can.
The students and staff of Lincoln Avenue Elementary School have moved to Casimir Pulaski High School. Urban Milwaukee education writer Terry Falk recently covered the red-carpet welcome students were given at their temporary home and the challenges they face.
MPS has not released plans for a new building at the Lincoln Avenue site, but district officials have committed to a public engagement process.
July 6 Photos
June 30 Photos
School Photos
Existing members must be signed in to see the interactive map. Sign in.
If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real, independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits.
