Bluff to hold public hearing on school development

The Town of Bluff will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 30 to hear comment on a proposal to approve an acquisition and development agreement between the Town of Bluff and Utah Diné Bikeyah.

If approved, the nonprofit and the town would jointly undertake the acquisition and redevelopment of the old elementary school building.

The older building in Bluff became available when the San Juan School District abandoned the building and moved to a new school in 2020.

In June 2021, the school district accepted an offer of $307,500 from the town of Bluff to purchase the old school. 

Utah Diné Bikeyah is a Native American-led nonprofit organization that was created in 2010 to advocate for public lands.

It was involved in the effort to create Bears Ears National Monument. The group sponsors a variety of projects and initiatives throughout the area.

In the agreement, Utah Diné Bikeyah expressed a desire to acquire the property for a future headquarters, with the intent to house non-profit activities including Native American arts and cultural programs and other community services.

The town says they would use their portions of the building as a town hall and community center.

The public hearing for the agreement will be held on Thursday, September 30 at 6 p.m. at the Bluff Community Center. A vote on whether to approve the agreement could come at the next town council meeting on October 5.

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