Council says buyer will demolish red‑tagged Jefferson school after May 1 closing

The Jefferson City Council reviewed a signed purchase agreement for the abandoned, red‑tagged Jefferson High School property and roughly 11–12 acres divided across about nine parcels.

City Attorney S. LaFleur‑Sayler told the council that the buyer, identified in council records as Mr. Wakefield, submitted a signed confession of judgment and an addendum requiring that the red‑tagged structures be demolished, removed and asbestos abated. The council record states the transaction will close on May 1, 2024, and that all demolition must be finished by July 15, 2024.

The council did not vote to accept or reject the sale during the Jan. 4 meeting; the item was listed under unfinished business for information and scheduling. The minutes note the city attorney is in possession of a signed purchase agreement and the confession of judgment. No dollar amount for the sale was recorded in the minutes.

Next steps shown in the minutes include the planned closing and the demolition schedule; the council did not record additional conditions, permitting steps, or funding sources for demolition in the meeting record.