CONVEY FORMER MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND

House Bill 5354

Sponsor:  Rep. Michael C. Murphy

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 2-6-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5354 AS INTRODUCED 10-25-05

The bill would authorize the State Administrative Board to convey the site of the former Michigan School for the Blind located in north Lansing, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.  The property would be conveyed for fair market value, as determined by an independent appraiser.  The first offer for purchase would go to the Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy, a K-8 public school academy (or charter school) chartered by Central Michigan University.  The academy currently leases use of the property from the state.  The net revenue received from the conveyance would be credited to the state general fund.

The Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy would have 180 days to exercise its right to purchase the property.  If it did not, the property would be sold, in order to receive the best value to the state, either through competitive bidding; public auction; the services of a real estate broker; a value-for-value conveyance negotiated by the Department of Management and Budget; or by offering the property for sale for fair market value to a local unit or units of government.  The DMB would determine how to sell the property.

If a local unit of government purchased the property and intended to convey it within three years, the local unit would have to provide written notice to the director of DMB; the DMB would retain a right to first purchase of the property at the original sale price, plus the cost of improvements.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The state would gain a one-time revenue increase by the sale of the property at fair market value.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Senate Bill 940, currently pending before the Senate Appropriations Committee, would convey the site of the former Michigan School for the Blind and approximately four acres of land east of the State Capitol to the City of Lansing for fair market value. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Mark Wolf

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Al Valenzio

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.