Date & Time
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Name
Creative Repurposing and Redevelopment Strategies for Vacant School Buildings
Speakers
Erin Brittain, WV Department of Environmental Protection
 Anne Cavalier, City of Smithers
Gabe Gauvin, Maine Redevelopment Land Bank
Todd Souza, Town of Union, Maine
Description
  • Understand why school closures are accelerating nationwide and why the resulting vacant buildings pose unique challenges, particularly in rural communities with limited local capacity
  • Hear from local leaders in Maine and West Virginia who are building community consensus and closing the reuse investment gap through creative capital stacks and public finance tools
  • Walk away with practical strategies and a toolkit for tackling vacant school reuse, including how to address housing and community needs and attracting private investment