School district finds another potential buyer for former campus in Daly City

By Neil Gonzales

ngonzales@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted: 08/09/2011 09:44:10 PM PDT

Updated: 08/09/2011 11:00:50 PM PDT

The Jefferson Elementary District has agreed to sell the former Christopher Columbus School campus for nearly $20 million to a residential developer.

The district reached a deal with Lennar Homes of California, which plans to build about 80 homes on the 13-acre site. On Wednesday, the district board is scheduled to make public its approval of the agreement, which comes several months after another developer backed out of buying the property.

Jefferson leaders see the sale of Columbus, which was closed in 2004 because of declining enrollment, as a way to bolster the district's finances against the poor economy and the state's budget problems.

"The hope is we will be able to use the money wisely and (offset) what the state has not given us," school trustee Hans Hansen said.

The sale is not final. But provided it goes through, the proceeds will be spent on modernizing or expanding campus buildings districtwide, Superintendent Bernardo Vidales said.

Nearby residents have opposed the sale of Columbus, however, raising concerns about the potential for increased traffic, crime and pollution in the neighborhood if a new subdivision is built.

"It's crowded enough up here," community activist Richard Brugger said.

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Submitted by Jim Alex