Leesburg Approves Demolition of Historic Lee School Buildings

In a recent session, Leesburg Historic Preservation Board has voted to approve the demolition of the deteriorating Lee School buildings, paving the way for new development on the site. This decision comes after extensive deliberation on the condition and future of the 5-acre property, now owned by Prospera Living LLC. The agreement includes conditions to preserve the Cornerstone and plaques, conserve materials for future use, and update the existing Planned Unit Development (PUD).

The central focus of the Leesburg Historic Preservation Board meeting was the fate of the Lee School buildings. The site’s history was outlined by the city planning department, noting its previous role as an educational facility. The buildings, currently owned by Prospera Living LLC, were described as being in a state of decline, with issues such as vandalism, homelessness, and illegal activities cited as contributing factors. The city commission had previously agreed that the structures should be demolished to address the ongoing blight and make way for new opportunities.

Amid the discussion, there was a notable emphasis on the need for a swift and unconditional demolition to expedite the development process. This urgency was echoed by Mike Ranken, the managing member and owner of LPG, who stressed the importance of quick action to attract bank involvement in the project.

The board engaged in a debate over who should bear the cost of demolition and the responsibility for the buildings’ poor condition. Additional context was provided during the meeting, with arguments for a “no strings attached” demolition order to facilitate development.

Further, the board considered various conditions for the demolition, including the preservation of historically significant elements such as the Cornerstone and playground plaques. The discussion also touched on the potential reuse or redistribution of salvageable materials like bricks, a point of interest for both historical preservation and environmental considerations.

The conditions laid out for the demolition were comprehensive. The board mandated the preservation of historical artifacts, the conservation of materials, and the update of the PUD. This set of requirements aims to balance the historical significance of the site with the practicalities of its redevelopment. By setting these terms, the board effectively ensured that while the buildings themselves would be removed, the legacy and some physical aspects would remain.

In addition to the demolition, the board deliberated on the introduction of an award for the renovation of historic properties. This potential award aims to recognize and incentivize the restoration and preservation of historic sites within and beyond the historic district.

The decision to approve the demolition marks the end of the board’s involvement in the future of the Lee School site, with the unanimous vote indicating a clear direction for the property’s redevelopment. The agreed-upon conditions reflect a compromise that acknowledges the need for progress while respecting the site’s historical value.

The meeting also briefly covered internal matters, such as the absence of board members and the challenge of appointing alternates.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Jimmy Burry
Historic Preservation Commission Officials:

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording