2026-014 Surplus Disposition of 53 School Street

The City of Gardner is soliciting proposals for the sale and disposition of a city-owned property located at 53 School Street. The property comprises a roughly 74,970-square-foot site, which has been subdivided from a larger parcel, and includes a substantial two-story masonry-framed school building with a finished basement, approximately 25,039 square feet in size. The property is appraised at zero value, indicating it may have environmental or other conditions affecting its worth. Proposals must be submitted by September 24, 2025, and will be opened at the City Hall, with a pre-bid conference scheduled for September 8, 2025. The sale process is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, requiring a minimum bid bond of 10%, but no performance or payment bonds are mandated. The City emphasizes that proposals will be evaluated based on their benefit to the community and neighborhood, with the right reserved to reject any or all submissions. Interested bidders are expected to submit detailed plans outlining intended property use, improvements, cost estimates, and financial commitments. The property is sold as-is, with the buyer responsible for all costs related to permits, easements, environmental remediation, and compliance. Full payment is required within 30 days of the award, and bidders must certify that they have no outstanding tax delinquencies. The contract size for this disposition ranges between $500,000 and $1,500,000, and the primary contact for inquiries is Joshua Cormier, reachable via email or phone. Additional information and the proposal link are available through the City of Gardner’s official procurement website.