The St Joseph School District is selling the former Neely Elementary School to a private enterprise, which plans to convert the structure into an apartment complex.

The school board on Monday night voted unanimously to approve the sale of the building to Foutch Brothers, LLC.

Officials say the company will convert the building, at 1909 South 12th Street, into nearly two dozen housing units.

They will pay $50,000 for the more than 40,000 square foot facility. The school district will sublease the adjacent Learning Resource Center for early childhood classes.

Officials in the district made promises not to leave behind an “eyesore” in the neighborhood.

The alternative, demolishing the building, would have cost the school district $550,000.