var json_comments = new Array("
\"user-pic\"
torgonius
February 6, 2009 5:45 PM
Moderate | Flag for review

Yeah, but most of those 11th graders would actually be able to fix your computer or tell you useful things about the electronics that used to be there.

Reply
4 replies
\"user-pic\"
Kicken
February 7, 2009 12:10 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@torgonius:
Would that make them electronics teachers, history teachers, AND economics teachers?

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Gtmac
February 6, 2009 7:00 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@summerbee: More like an easily parried thrust.

Those same 11th graders would also be happy to tell you that the education you're looking for wasn't released yet, when you know alegbra was released over 3000 years ago. At which point they'll tell you they're out of it, but that you could buy \"2+2=5\" for a few dollars more.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
downwithmonstercable
February 6, 2009 5:47 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I guess it could work, that'd be a lot of remodeling costs to make it school-like though. Although with all the school closures in the Seattle are, maybe this'd be a lower-cost alternative to a traditional school campus.

Reply
6 replies
\"user-pic\"
AlteredBeast
February 6, 2009 6:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@downwithmonstercable:


It really depends on what kind of school...if it is a private school, or a specialized school, you may not need to do much renovation. Have maybe 3 classes going at once, and just have food brought in instead of cooked there.


If you wanted to convert it to a \"real\" public school, they'd want to install lockers, have some sort of cafateria, and some solid walls so sound doesn't bleed from one class to another.


It may be really a good place for a school that involves some sort of auto tech, as they have garages. The sound isolating room could be usefull too.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
finite_elephant
February 6, 2009 7:37 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@AlteredBeast: As far as building codes go, schools are schools, no matter who runs them. They'd need more restrooms, exits, windows, soundproof partitions, a better fire suppression system, an outdoor play area, food service, and a place to load and unload buses. Most of the Circuit Cities near me wouldn't easily be converted to this, assuming they're even in a useful location.

This is typical real estate fuzzy/wishful thinking. They have a retail property that's going to be hard to move, so they'll at least make an attempt to get the local government take it over. So now the next time the local school board wants to spend money expanding or renovating their current facility, someone in the back will stand up and demand to know why they just don't use an empty Circuit City. And the school board will have to explain what a bad idea that is.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
AlteredBeast
February 6, 2009 8:19 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@finite_elephant: If a Circuit City was to be converted to a secondary school, such as a vocational tech school for automotive electronics installation (just to keep it simple for the example), I don't think the same requirements would apply.


If it was a private vocational school, the wouldn't need a play area, soundproof partitions, or additonal exits (if no addtional walls are added).


At that point, it is a private corporation buying a building within which to teach people. Something I have seen done in strip malls. Granted, the topic at hand seems to imply converting them into public schools, but if we are just takling \"schools\" in general, then not all \"schools\" have the same building code requirements.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
TechnoDestructo
February 6, 2009 10:03 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@AlteredBeast:

There is still the issue of codes when the place was built versus current codes.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
xkevin
February 6, 2009 8:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@finite_elephant: Wow, someone's a narrow thinker. \"Abandoned\" Wal-Mart stores have been converted to a variety of different things from other stores to municipals complexes...

Reply
\"user-pic\"
finite_elephant
February 9, 2009 5:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@xkevin: Can't help but notice you don't mention schools. I've worked on projects converting commercial properties to public use (warehouse to public works building, retail store to library, etc.) but converting one to a K-8 or even high school would be a huge task, if not impossible. As mentioned below, there may be a market for these buildings as vocational or technical schools, as the requirements for adult education facilities are less stringent (no buses or playgrounds, for example). But I still see this as a ploy by a real estate agent to generate buzz for getting local government to take over the property.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
downwithmonstercable
February 6, 2009 6:55 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@AlteredBeast: Ahh, that makes sense.


Maybe another possibility is someone could buy it and put people in there dressed as employees, and play make believe retail. Kind of like a big doll house. I bet there's a niche market for that somewhere.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
cromartie
February 6, 2009 8:16 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@downwithmonstercable: That would be what real retail is in most of the country right now, would it not?

Reply
\"user-pic\"
AlteredBeast
February 6, 2009 7:14 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@downwithmonstercable:


The best use might be to make them shelters for folks who have their houses forclosed. :P

Reply
\"user-pic\"
outoftheblew
February 6, 2009 6:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@downwithmonstercable: A lot of remodeling costs? I think they'd just need to put up partitions and buy desks, chairs, and dry erase or chalkboards. And maybe expand the bathrooms (school bathrooms always seem to have a whole lotta stalls).

Reply
\"user-pic\"
TechnoDestructo
February 6, 2009 10:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@outoftheblew:

When you renovate, you have to build to current codes. This is why it is usually cheaper to tear down an old school and build a new one than to gut the old one and rebuild it to code.

Also, consider that many schools, particularly elementary schools, are built to a standard plan. You don't have to either design the systems from scratch as you would be in most renovations or any conversion.

It just usually does not make any sense to do anything other than build a school as a school from the start. Oh, and is this school not going to have a PE program? Because I don't think you could pack much school into a Circuit City and still have room for a gym. Oh, and then there's the issue of land for playgrounds. You might substitute the roof, but then you've got ruggedize the hell out of that roof, and probably reinforce its supports. God, this idea just looks worse and worse the more I think about it.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
downwithmonstercable
February 6, 2009 6:31 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@outoftheblew: Well, you COULD do partitions. I'd imagine they'd want to build actual walls, maybe a second floor..and probably refurb the retail-style layout into something more functional.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
February 6, 2009 8:17 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@downwithmonstercable: Second Floors are frowned on; they're only limitedly handicapped accessible and cause evacuation issues in a fire.

I know because our district had a whole big thing about knocking down a GORGEOUS 80-year-old three-story school building to replace it with a sprawling one-floor cinderblock palace of love. For safety.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Rob Weddle
February 6, 2009 5:49 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

You know what's more awesome? Vacant real estate!

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
smythe
February 6, 2009 5:50 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Maybe its me, but the area that most Circuit Cits are located is very commercial and probably not the best place for a school. Just imagine the truancy if you have 20 stores located within walking distance.

Reply
5 replies
\"user-pic\"
batsy
February 7, 2009 12:57 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@smythe: What a silly idea. I'd like to see some kind of evidence that a school with stores nearby has more truancy.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
jamar0303
February 6, 2009 6:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@smythe: On the other hand, the CC where I used to live stood alone on the side of a highway. That would work better, I think.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
paragrab
February 6, 2009 6:34 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@smythe: Most of the CC's around here are right next to Barnes and Noble. Could be kind of cool if it were a small community college branch. Get some high-priced coffee and use the wifi while waiting for class. Plus loiter and read books for free.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
ShirtNinja
February 6, 2009 5:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@smythe: That was honestly my first thought, too. While it's a good use of the space, the fact that the spaces are in malls isn't necessarily a good thing.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
alexawesome
February 6, 2009 6:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ShirtNinja: conversely, having schools within a mall area would provide kids with walking-access to after school part-time jobs (which are usually in malls) and places they can hang out that are \"safer\" than conventional teen spots. I don't like it that kids would be thrust into a consumer culture, but it does have some potential up-sides, too.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
ShirtNinja
February 6, 2009 8:23 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@alexawesome: Oh, absolutely. I'm not writing it off, I'm just saying that there might be more than a few downsides.

On the upside, it could help stimulate the stores in the mall due to more kids hanging around and buying stuff.

More schools are definitely a good thing.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
downwithmonstercable
February 6, 2009 6:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@alexawesome: I'd imagine the parenting would have way more influence on consumer culture than the school. At least I hope they'd have more influence.


On a side note, a highschool near where I live is across the street from a very large mall. I know they are constantly having to deal with kids leaving campus to go over there, and skipping class to hang out over there too.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
ADismalScience
February 6, 2009 5:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

What the realtor's really saying: oh my sweet mary christ, how the hell am I supposed to sell this crap in this commercial real estate market?

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
KyleOrton
February 6, 2009 8:23 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ADismalScience: Add some travertine, granite and stainless steel and they could sell it to clients looking for something a bit bigger than a 4500 sf McMansion.

Walking distance to shops and restaurants too! (Until the Chili's next door turns into duplexes)

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Canino
February 6, 2009 5:51 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Around here (TX), they're destined to become evangelical churches. You know, while they save money in their Building Fund.

Reply
9 replies
\"user-pic\"
scootinger
February 6, 2009 11:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Canino: Life Church (well, better known as LifeChurch.tv) has done that with several shuttered big-box stores here in the Oklahoma City area. I suppose that especially given the fact that a lot of CC's are \"stand-alone\" buildings, it's bound to happen with at least a couple of them.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
February 6, 2009 8:20 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Canino: They're turning an abandoned big box locally into a public library branch. Not an awful use of the space, lots of parking, and very little renovating is required.

My Catholic parish in North Carolina was in an empty grocery store for a while while we built a new church. We had 8 Sunday Masses and 100 standees at every Mass, but deep in the city so they had to knock down and rebuild on the same plot. Kind-of hated it, but it was only 8 months and saved a lot of money.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
HogwartsAlum
February 6, 2009 9:33 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Eyebrows McGee:

They did that here; when Heilig Meyers closed, they turned the building into a library with a travel theme (planes, Route 66 and a neat little \"highway\" path to walk on that snakes around on the carpet). A Panera hooked up to it so you can check out a book and go read while you eat your sandwich.

The only thing that sucks is that the parking lot is narrow and there is NEVER anywhere to park. It gets a lot of overflow from the retail stuff surrounding it, I think.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
shorty63136
February 6, 2009 7:19 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Canino: There's a spot in St. Louis that used to be a Target (on Target Drive, no less) that has been TWO churches at one point since that Target closed in...what, 1998? 1999? Something like that. Now, it's just an immense eyesore.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Segador
February 6, 2009 6:25 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Canino: Yeah we have a few of those creepy strip-mall churches here in San Antonio, too.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
glass_slipper
February 6, 2009 6:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Canino: A ex-circuit city near me (that closed a few years ago) was converted into a Korean church. They bought up the surrounding ex-El Torito and donut shop as well.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
runchadrun
February 6, 2009 7:21 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@glass_slipper: Ah, yes, the Church of Circuit City on the corner of Balboa and Devonshire in Granada Hills: [www.flickr.com]

Reply
\"user-pic\"
zlionsfan
February 6, 2009 6:00 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Canino: We had a superstore do that several years ago on the northeast side of Indy. Don't remember what it was before.

On the other hand, yeah, the CCs around here are really, really not in good places for schools.

Especially if there are laws about what can and can't be sold within X yards of a school.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
madanthony
February 6, 2009 8:54 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@zlionsfan:

Especially if there are laws about what can and can't be sold within X yards of a school.

Heh. One of the Circuit City stores near me (Route 40 in Rosedale, MD) is right next to an \"Adult video and toy\" emporium, and across the street and a block away from another.

In general, most of the CC's I can think of are either in strip malls, or next to strip malls. I can't imagine them becoming schools.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
everclear75
February 6, 2009 5:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

They did that sort of thing here in Houston. They turned one of the old Incredible Universe stores into a Houston Community College branch.

Reply
4 replies
\"user-pic\"
SuhinaCache
February 7, 2009 12:11 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@everclear75: Exactly my thought, and it seems to have worked...

Reply
\"user-pic\"
texasannie
February 6, 2009 7:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@everclear75: Yeah, my sister went to the Houston Community College location that used to be a Builder's Square back in the early '90s.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Jeangenie
February 6, 2009 6:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@everclear75: The one at Potomac Mills became some DOD office. They even use all of the truck bays. Weird to have that right near the mall.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
PølάrβǽЯ
February 6, 2009 6:37 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Jeangenie: That way they can make sure the terrorists don't bomb.... Macy's?

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Joeb5
February 6, 2009 5:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

And teachers will sell $100 - $200 books

$80 + monster test guides

High priced candy and pop.

high pressure to get grades up even if the teachers need to help the kids cheat to meet there goals.

Reply
3 replies
\"user-pic\"
varro
February 6, 2009 7:58 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Joeb5: You're gonna need that grade insurance, kid...

\"But I study 4 hours a night?\"

\"An F will really hurt your future...\"

Reply
\"user-pic\"
SarcasticDwarf
February 6, 2009 6:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Joeb5: That would have been funny if you had actually inflated the cost of books over what they really are.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
Rob Weddle
February 6, 2009 6:06 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Joeb5: Pretty much par for the course by Florida standards...

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
ojzitro
February 6, 2009 5:52 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

REIT's are in big trouble when schools seem like a viable tenant.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Collie
February 6, 2009 5:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I think it is actually a pretty good idea and deserves exploration, it would be a lot cheaper than building new schools, and all the infrastructure is already in place. What can we do with the hundreds of Starbucks, Linens and Things, and other retail space that are soon to be vacant across the fruited plain?

Reply
7 replies
\"user-pic\"
metaled
February 6, 2009 6:09 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Turn them into prisons and jails, maybe even a police station or two since they always seem to be away from the malls (in the residential areas, next to the schools)

Reply
\"user-pic\"
MrEvil
February 7, 2009 7:23 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@metaled: That's not such a bad idea and has been done before. There's a Copperas Cove Police Station inside the Wal-Mart.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
ojzitro
February 6, 2009 6:01 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Collie: What happens when the school's lease is up and there is a big corporate entity willing to pay an increase? The school pays more or gets dislocated.....

A HORRIBLE IDEA.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
MrEvil
February 7, 2009 7:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ojzitro: Generally speaking when a School district converts a retail property into either a District HQ or a school they don't lease, they buy it outright. My county government bought an old Wal-Mart and turned it into a new courthouse.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
cf27
February 6, 2009 6:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ojzitro: So what? That's the definition of leasing. If you don't want the risk of not being able to renew, then you either write that into the lease or you purchase the property.

In Wake County, NC, the school district converted an old grocery store into a 9th grade center, and has a multi-year lease. By the time the lease is up, new high schools will have been built and those 9th graders will have someplace else to go.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
jamar0303
February 6, 2009 6:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@ojzitro: Hopefully the lease is long enough that they'll be able to have a decent replacement lined up. Or for those who believe in cyclical economics, long enough for the next downturn to take effect.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
tjazar
February 6, 2009 5:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Collie:

Exactly. My wife's father is an assistant superintendent for a school system in Florida that repurposes vacant retail buildings into school buildings. They recently turned an empty mall into the headquarters for the school district. It features tons of space, they get the building at a hell of a deal, and there's one less massive vacant mall in the area.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
El Gato en mis Pantalones
February 6, 2009 5:55 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

It's a new charter school program!!!

1. Buy bad retail space
2. Bring in kids to run it
3. ????
4. PROFIT!!!

Reply
2 replies
\"user-pic\"
varro
February 6, 2009 7:59 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@El Gato en mis Pantalones: 3.) Get Republicans to fund your crappy school.

Reply
\"user-pic\"
MercyEleusis
February 6, 2009 9:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@varro: Right, because only Republicans get city grants for charter schools. So glad everyone can show their knowledge on tertiary education.

Reply
","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
FooSchnickens - Full of SCAR
February 6, 2009 6:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I'd rather see new roller/ice skating rinks.

Reply
2 replies
\"user-pic\"
yagisencho
February 6, 2009 8:03 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@FooSchnickens:


Funny...I was thinking the same thing. They did that with a couple of businesses here in Seattle during the early 80s recession.


Both rinks failed. =(

Reply
\"user-pic\"
shorty63136
February 6, 2009 7:19 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@FooSchnickens: The non-carpeted floors are already good for it.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
pschroeter
February 6, 2009 6:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

A few years back in my city there was talk of converting a failed May Company anchor store in our mall into a school. Pretty soon, with the way things are going, the entire mall will be available and they could do kindergarten through graduate school.

Reply
2 replies
\"user-pic\"
econobiker
February 6, 2009 7:05 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@pschroeter: There is a dead mall in my area which would be great for a school location. In fact a local weekly free newspaper had two articles in it- 1 about the nearest highschool outgrowning its campus and not being in the center of its population and 2 about the dead malls chance of recreation as an \"outdoor lifestyle center\" given a completed in 2008 competing new \"outdoor lifestyle center. It seemed like the politicans should be able to figure out that it is a win-win. I mean the mall even slated a former anchor store as the location for a new public library...


(Bellevue Center Mall, Nashville, TN)

Reply
\"user-pic\"
shorty63136
February 6, 2009 7:21 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@econobiker: MAN, I would've SWORN you were talking about Northwest Plaza in St. Louis. Crazy.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
bohemian
February 6, 2009 6:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

They could turn them all into community gymnasiums. The spaces have tall enough ceilings. Bring in some weight equipment, basketball hoops and free space for anyone to run an exercise class.

We have tons of vacant commercial real estate right now. It is getting a tad bit scary. There were bunches of strip malls and outdoor shopping complexes that were built right before the economy tanked. Combine those with the defunct big box stores and it is starting to look bad.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
larrymac808
February 6, 2009 6:35 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@bohemian: And to bring it full circle - or maybe only about 270 degrees - the building that used to be my gym is being turned into a Buffalo Wild Wings. No word yet on the fate of the swimming pool and hot tub.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
metaled
February 6, 2009 6:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

If they are talkiing about those phoney mail order schools Like phoenix College, then yeah, it would make sense. But the store locations were built into high vehicle traffic areas. I can't think of a single politician that would consider making kids dodge cars to go to school... Well, yeah I can.
Schools are usually put in residential areas, I can just imagine how many kids would need extra money to go to school/the mall each day. What a stupid idea!

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
lonestarbl
February 6, 2009 6:08 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Blow a hole in a wall, put in a garage door... use it as a warehouse for all the unsold American made Autos... 2 Birds, 1 Stone

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
Nick1693
February 6, 2009 7:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@lonestarbl: Why not just use the CC Auto \"Shop\" entrance?

Reply
","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
tc4b
February 6, 2009 6:18 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

How about libraries? An old Ames loaction (think WalMart but crappier) in my hometown got converted like this, and the lib doubled it's sq feet instantly. It might not be pretty space, but the price is right and there's lots of it. I don't know about the rest of you, but the library in my current town is waaaaaaaay too small.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
February 6, 2009 7:36 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@tc4b: I think in most counties, libraries get the least amount of funding. Converting a space like this is probably cheaper because you just need to add shelves and bookcases. But at the same time, you're in a high-commercial area whereas most libraries are located in residential areas that are walking distance from homes.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
blockbustarhymes
February 6, 2009 6:19 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

if it's a school for pirates, ninjas, pirate ninjas, or ninja pirates, i'm all for this idea.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
JGKojak
February 6, 2009 6:23 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I have often thought one of the more insulting things is big, giant boarded up warehouse stores and schools with kids housed in trailers for lack of space.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
menty666
February 6, 2009 6:24 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Sure why not? The way the US education system is going now half of the kids in school will wind up in low paying retail jobs anyway. They may as well get cozy from the get go.

My more serious concerns though....

Most of the parking lots surrounding these stores are death traps and mugging magnets. Where on earth are kids going to have recess? Build a Gymboree next door and rent time? Or how about a McDonalds with an indoor play space?

The rent on these buildings is killer. While sure, it might be good not to own and not have to fix the roofs on them, in the long run putting the safety of kids in the hands of a commercial management company is a bad idea.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
February 6, 2009 7:40 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@menty666: I think you can easily take out some concrete, put in some grass and create a small playground. if you make it junior high and above, you won't even need a playground.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Michael Bauser
February 6, 2009 6:25 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Back in the early 1990s, my alma mater did convert a defunct big box that happened to be next to the campus.

(Keep in mind, though, it was next to the side of the campus that didn't have anything built on it, so the University had to build a long walkway through the woods, with \"safety phones\" every 50 feet in case somebody tried to rape a co-ed.)

The think the university called it the \"Southwest Annex\" -- everybody else called it the \"Value City Campus.\" I had one class there my senior year. As I recall, it just looked cheap on the inside -- like a low-budget TV show imitation of what a real university looks like.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
cromartie
February 6, 2009 8:21 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@Michael Bauser: Ah. Another UT grad. We called it SWAC when I went (and it appears you and I went about the same time).

You should see it now. Doesn't look like a strip mall at all, now that the university evicted the rest of the tenants and has control of the entire property.

Though it was convenient having a class and then walking two shops down to the state liquor store.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
pecan 3.14159265
February 6, 2009 6:27 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Gym class on aisle four!!

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
highmodulus
February 6, 2009 6:27 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

And any Students getting A's will be expelled to make room for cheaper lower achieving students.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
Twinrevanoe
February 7, 2009 6:11 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

@highmodulus: \"We're gonna have to expell you, Bobby.\"

\"Why?\"

\"Well, your grades are just...wow.\"

\"but that's a good thing, right?\"

\"nope, we're replacing you for this special kid from the back woods!\"

\"Hai thar.\"

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
mbz32190
February 6, 2009 6:30 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I don't think we are going to see many schools expanding with this economy. With hiring freezes, elimination of positions, and the like, these spaces are going to sit empty for a very long time.
(However, I would like to buy a service plan for some of my grades...you know, they'll give me an A if I happen to get an F)

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
ReverendBrown
February 6, 2009 6:32 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

A few old Food Lion grocery stores have been converted into administrative or 'alternative' (read: disciplinary) schools around these parts. (TX) Seems to work well enough, depending on location.

Reply
","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
wgrune
February 6, 2009 6:54 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Indoor demolition derby and laser tag. Bring your own car.

Reply
","","","","
\"user-pic\"
whatdoyoucare
February 6, 2009 6:56 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Ironically, at a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night we decided to persue commercial space that can be converted into a middle school. Unfortunately (or not) we don't have any Circuit City's in our town of 55,000.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
illtron
February 6, 2009 7:02 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Convert them to schools? I figured all of them had already been converted into obscure Baptist churches.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
eh_remraf
February 6, 2009 7:06 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

And soon after hiring those 11th graders they will fire them and replace them with 9th graders who have no clue what they are doing, and get rid of the discount on food.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
CSUSam
February 6, 2009 7:15 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"Don't do it, we say. Those stores are cursed. As soon as you move in there, they'll fire all the teachers and replace them with 11th graders who'll work part-time in exchange for minimum wage and cafeteria discount.\"

HA! I keep asking people that are looking to buy our overpriced fixtures why they would want something that has the stink of failure on them so bad.

Reply
1 replies
\"user-pic\"
drjayphd
February 6, 2009 8:07 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

@CSUSam: So you're saying buying all those wooden hangers from Steve & Barry's was a bad idea? :/

Reply
","","","","","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
FuryOfFirestorm
February 6, 2009 7:41 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"The lesson for today is how to run a company to ruin!\"

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
MaelstromRider
February 6, 2009 7:57 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

That's not a bad idea, depending on location. My son is in a charter school that used to be an HEB grocery store.

Reply
","","","","
\"user-pic\"
drjayphd
February 6, 2009 8:05 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Hey, it'd make as much sense as the former Atlanta Bread Company on the Turnpike here getting turned into another friggin' AT&T store.

How about just recycling the stores into, say, farmers' markets or such? You've gotta think some people are going to go into business for themselves after getting axed, they might need somewhere to sell their wares...

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
discounteggroll
February 6, 2009 8:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

if anything, america could use some more roller derby rinks.

Reply
","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
khendros
February 6, 2009 8:22 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I work for a regional grocery chain in the Memphis area, and one of our old stores has been converted to a middle school. Some local people had fits over it, but in the end, it seems to have worked out pretty well.

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
Corporate-Shill
February 6, 2009 8:24 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Just a slight correction:


CC rented (leased) most of their locations. Realtors are not having to SELL the store locations... the realtors are trying to find tenents to RENT the stores.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Justin Larson
February 6, 2009 8:39 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I can't believe I missed out on going to school in strip mall.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
John S. Kliemann
February 6, 2009 8:41 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

This is a very bad idea considering that most Circuit Citys are in shopping centers. People are paranoid about other people enough as it is.

Reply
","","","","","","
\"user-pic\"
YourTechSupport
February 6, 2009 10:09 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

\"they'll fire all the teachers and replace them with 11th graders who'll work part-time in exchange for minimum wage and cafeteria discount.\"

Careful. Don't want to give Dallas ISD (or any of the others) any ideas now!

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
farker
February 6, 2009 10:27 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I took a couple classes at one of the Houston Community College locations a few years ago. It was in an old Walmart.

When you were in the classrooms, it seemed normal. But out in the hallways, you had 50-foot high warehouse ceilings. They basically built two stories of classrooms and offices inside the existing building shell.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
bananaboat
February 6, 2009 10:53 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Not an unusual suggestion. When Food Lion went under that's exactly what happened with some of their vacant buildings.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
brodog2525
February 6, 2009 11:45 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

turn the old circuit cities buildings into churches with priests and jesus and everything

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
breny
February 6, 2009 11:48 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Our city has a school in an old Walmart building. Walmart wouldn't sell the building if it were to be used for retail purposes, so it was a win/win situation.

Reply
","","","","
\"user-pic\"
PLATTWORX
February 7, 2009 1:52 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

The sad part is America is \"over stored\" and many vacant retail locations will need to be converted to non-retail use as no new store is going to come along to snap up that real estate for a very long time.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
Raving Rabbid
February 7, 2009 4:31 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

1. There are some CC stores with the plugs that might work, but the location might not be. The one I think of (Niles, IL) is off a T intersection from a major road and butts up to commercial AND residential.

2. Others, like Chandler, AZ, are in outright commercial strip. It'd be a complex zoning - and likely legal, given it's near a Red Robin and Olive Garden on a strip that forms the northern exterior corridor of a mall -matter.

3. I've read of strange building reuse. Just go to deadmalls.com or bigboxreuse.com and you'll read - and see - it happen.

Reply
","","
\"user-pic\"
Twinrevanoe
February 7, 2009 6:16 AM
Moderate |Flag for review

There's a CC by my old High School. It's a bridge away and a congested major boulevard. Plus, it's SURROUNDED by other stores.

Having school in an CC and going down to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch, yeah that's fun.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
TheThirstMutilator
February 7, 2009 3:12 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

That's funny, I got my legal degree at Costco...

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
jenl1625
February 7, 2009 3:46 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

That brings up bad associations - one of those big electronics stores went out of business here (Sun, I believe) and a local guy starting up a charter school thought it would be a great (or at least cheap) place to do it.

A few months (not even a full school year) after it opened, it closed in disarray. He'd bought cheap, broken-down desks from salvage, spent absolutely as little as possible on stuff like books, and (if I remember correctly) either pocketed a bunch of money or couldn't account for where it went....

Reply
","","","
\"user-pic\"
Anonymous
February 7, 2009 7:40 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Charter schools are moving in, the smaller, public alternative to large-overcrowded urban district schools. Large districts do not provide facilities for charter schools, this is one of their few options. Other options are churches, apartment buildings, vacanicies in strip malls. I work at a school that used to serve as a training site for IBEW electrical workers. Rent is expensive, it's owned by a winery family.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
jrizos
February 7, 2009 8:55 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

Suicides booths. Convert them to suicide booths.

Reply
","
\"user-pic\"
TheTick
February 8, 2009 2:38 PM
Moderate |Flag for review

I actually did this my Senior year in high school...a week before school was supposed to start, one wing of my HS burned down. All my classes for that year were in a former mall that was converted into a school.

IT WAS AWESOME.

There was a Wendy's on the corner, and 7-11 on my way home. There was no cafeteria (asbestos concerns as the cafe at the main school campus was adjoined to the burned wing) so we got out early every day.

Reply
","");