APS to Auction Off Portables Sept. 28

Public may view 30 single-, double-room portables the day before the event.

Portables sit at the Stronghurst site waiting to be auctioned off.

September 11, 2012

Albuquerque Public Schools is selling 30 portables at a public auction at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at Bentley & Associates, LLC, 4900 Pan American Freeway NE. APS is holding a public viewing the day before the auction for anyone interested in purchasing one.

“It’s been our mission the past few years to build more classroom space around the district and take portables out of service,” APS Superintendent Winston Brooks said.

Construction of permanent classroom buildings over the past few years makes it possible for APS to sell portables that are no longer needed. No minimum bid has been established, but buyers will be required to have a plan in place to move the portables to their own land at their expense at the time of purchase.

The portables available at auction are stored at the former Stronghurst Elementary site at Menaul and 2^nd St. A public viewing for potential buyers will be held there from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, prior to the auction at Bentley’s. Contractors will be present to discuss the process and costs for moving portables once they are purchased. Those costs depend upon the size of the portables and distance they are moved.

“We’ve received a number of calls from contractors and others interested in purchasing portables, and we’re excited that the district doesn’t need them anymore,” APS Chief Operations Officer Brad Winter said.

Most of the portables are single-classroom size, with a few double-classroom sizes available. Brand new, portables sell for about $70,000 for a single and $140,000 for a double.

Many portables are still in use at APS schools or administrative sites. Some also have been leased to local charter schools.