The future of the Washington School site in Midtown Ventura just took a major step forward.
At a Special Board of Education meeting held on April 7, 2026, the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) voted on how to proceed with several surplus properties across the city. One of the most closely watched sites is the former Washington School campus located at 96 MacMillan Avenue.
After reviewing multiple proposals and hearing public input over several meetings, the Board has now identified a developer to move forward with.
VUSD Selects City Ventures for Washington School Site
The Board of Education reviewed seven different proposals for the Washington School property before ultimately voting 4–1 to enter into negotiations with City Ventures, a California-based homebuilder.
It is important to note that this vote does not approve a project.
Instead, it signals the beginning of the negotiation phase between VUSD and City Ventures. Any final agreement must still go through:
- A public hearing
- A formal Board of Education vote in open session
Until that process is complete, no development is officially approved.
What Is Planned for the Washington School Property?
At this stage, because negotiations are ongoing and confidential, key details remain unknown, including:
- The number of housing units
- The type of development (condos, townhomes, apartments, etc.)
- Whether the project will include affordable housing or workforce housing
However, some context can help frame what may be possible.
Who Is City Ventures?
City Ventures is a well-known California developer focused on building residential housing in high-demand markets, particularly through infill development.
Their projects typically include:
- Condominiums
- Townhomes
- Mixed-use residential communities
- For-sale, market-rate housing
Locally, City Ventures is already involved in another Ventura project: a 36-unit condominium development on Cachuma Avenue, which has received approvals and is moving through the development pipeline.
While this provides insight into their typical product type, it does not confirm what they are proposing for the Washington School site.
Why VUSD Is Selling Surplus Properties
The decision to move forward with developing the Washington School site is part of a broader strategy by Ventura Unified.
Like many school districts across California, VUSD is facing several long-term challenges:
- Declining student enrollment
- Rising operational costs (utilities, healthcare, supplies)
- Underfunding at the state and federal level
- Increasing cost of living in Ventura County
These factors have forced the district to evaluate underutilized properties and explore ways to:
- Generate revenue
- Reduce financial pressure
- Support long-term planning efforts
One key goal that has been discussed publicly is the potential for workforce housing, particularly for teachers and school staff who are increasingly priced out of the local market.
However, it is important to emphasize that workforce or affordable housing is not guaranteed for this site.
What Happens Next?
The next phase is closed-door negotiations between VUSD and City Ventures.
Once negotiations are complete:
- The proposed agreement will be made public
- A public hearing will be scheduled
- The Board will vote in an open session to approve or deny the agreement
Only after that process would development plans become official.
A Key Project to Watch in Midtown Ventura
The Washington School site represents one of the more significant redevelopment opportunities in Midtown Ventura.
With its central location and size, any future project could have a meaningful impact on:
- Local housing supply
- Neighborhood character
- Property values in the surrounding area
For now, the biggest takeaway is this:
👉 A developer has been selected
👉 Negotiations are underway
👉 But the actual project details are still unknown
More VUSD Surplus Property Decisions Coming
The Washington School site is just one of three surplus properties the district took action on during the April 7 meeting.
Separate decisions were also made for:
- The Avenue School site
- The Jewett Estate
I’ll be breaking those down in separate posts, so check back for updates as more details are released.
