Former Fawn Primary Center could go back on the market

The former Fawn Primary Center in the Highlands School District could be going back on the market.

The school board last week voted to hire Integra Realty Resources to prepare a valuation on the building at 5591 Ridge Road.

The cost for the appraisal is $2,500.

The board did not disclose a plan for how they plan to move forward with the vacant building.

For years, the school housed kindergarten, first grade and second grade students but was part of the district’s reconfiguration in 2018. It was renamed the Highlands Support Center and briefly used for the district’s partial hospital program, alternative education, support and intervention rooms, and a cyber charter school.

The support center closed in 2019.

Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said she does not have information on the building’s future.

School Board President Deb Lehew did not respond to requests for comment.

A letter from Integra on the district’s website said the purpose of the appraisal is to provide an opinion of the building’s market value to help with making a planning decision.

The report is expected within 30 days.

The 30,000-square-foot school is on nearly 15 acres just off Burtner Road.

According to Allegheny County real estate records, the building and property are assessed at $2.8 million.

It was last on the market in 2019, but the district was only accepting bids of $500,000 or more. It received no such offers.

In September, the district’s director of buildings and grounds urged the board to take action on a leaky roof.

Chris Reiser at that time said the roof had about three or four leaks that needed attention.

The roof is about 35 years old. A consultant provided Reiser with preliminary cost estimates that ranged from $15,000 to $200,000 for repairs.

Mawhinney recommended doing at least minimal work to avoid further costs, but the board did not move forward.

The building is used as a storage center for district furniture, bulk paper deliveries and other items.