Laboratory Elementary School to be sold at auction
The former Laboratory School in Trinity Area School District will be auctioned on Oct. 17.
Courtesy of Nic Oliverio
The former Laboratory Elementary School is up for auction.
The former Laboratory School is up for auction by Joe R. Pyle Auctions.
Courtesy of Nic Oliverio
Trinity Area School District plans to sell the former Laboratory School by auction on Oct. 17.
The former Laboratory Elementary School and 3.74 acres will be auctioned Oct. 17.
Exterior view of the former Laboratory Elementary School
Courtesy of Nic Oliverio
Trinity Area School District ceased using Laboratory Elementary School in 1995.
After a judge blocked the private sale of Trinity Area School District’s former Laboratory Elementary School, the building will be sold at auction later this month.
The sale will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at the school, 99 Manse St., South Strabane Township, by Joe R. Pyle Auction and Realty Service.
The Trinity district opted to auction the school after Washington County Judge Michael L. Lucas blocked the private sale of the building and grounds to Kelsall Properties LLC for $200,000 in August. Lucas denied the district’s request to sell the grade school, citing the substantial difference between the proposed sale price and the appraised value in 2022.
According to Washington County real estate records, the building had an assessed value of $1.73 million while the land was valued at $392,500, an 87.5% difference from the sale price.
The sale of the school is a cost-saving measure for the school district.
“Trinity Area will spend about $25,000 annually just on utilities. This does not include staff maintenance of the building and grounds or needed reports. The building will require additional repairs to remain operational,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Lucas. “Maintaining the building would be an unnecessary expense.”
Trinity ceased using the school in February 1995. For several years, the building, adjacent to Billy Bell Park, was leased to Intermediate Unit 1 for educational programs until July 2022, when the regional education agency moved to its McMurray campus.
Those who attend the auction in person will be able to register and inspect the building and grounds at 2 p.m. Interested buyers unable to attend will have the option to bid online.
“Registration time starts at 2 p.m., and folks can arrive and register and inspect the property, do a final review. We will have live and online bidding,” said Jordan Kiger.
The 25,306-square-foot brick school building sits on 3.74 acres and has an additional useable 10,250 square feet on the lower level.
Kiger said the building and property are an attractive investment opportunity, in large part because of the condition of the building, the amount of land, and its location near Interstate 79.
“The building is really structurally sound, one of the better buildings we’ve sold this year. And that much property, close to the interstate, is pretty sought after,” said Kiger. “With the 25,000 square feet, plus the 10,000 square feet finished below the main level, there are opportunities for many uses, including luxury apartments or senior living. Whatever purposes the buyer wants it for, the platform is there.”
Joe R. Pyle plans to host a preview of the buildings and grounds on Oct. 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. for potential buyers who contact the auction company.
“If folks want to come out ahead of time, we will have a scheduled open house. If no one contacts our office, we won’t have it,” said Kiger.
To reserve a spot at the open house, contact the auction company at 724-998-5810.
“We’re excited for the community about this opportunity, and our hope is for whoever comes in there will have something that will benefit the community and residents,” Kiger said.