Para ordenar al Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico, evaluar conforme a las disposiciones de Ley y Reglamentos vigentes, tanto estatal como federal, la transferencia o el traspaso de título, usufructo o cualquier otro negocio jurídico autorizado, de los terrenos de la antigua Escuela Segunda Unidad Luciano Ríos localizada en el Barrio Buena Vista del municipio Autónomo de Humacao, Puerto Rico, a la Asociación Buena Vista Resiliente, Inc., por el valor nominal de $1.00; incluyendo las instalaciones, equipos existentes, si alguno, facilidades y las edificaciones ubicadas en la misma; a los fines de desarrollar un Centro de Resiliencia Comunitaria con Comedor Comunitario combinado con un Área para habilitar un refugio para poder ser utilizado por la comunidad y áreas cercanas en casos de emergencias, con especial atención hacia personas encamadas, dependientes de oxígenos o con condiciones especiales de salud; o cualesquiera otros proyectos de impacto social que redunden en el desarrollo y bienestar de las comunidades circundantes; establecer condiciones suspensivas para cualquier transferencia o traspaso de título; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico authorizes transferring abandoned Humacao school property to nonprofit for $1.00 to develop community resilience center with emergency shelter and dining facilities.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill RCC 249 directs Puerto Rico's Department of Education to evaluate transferring the abandoned Luciano Ríos school property in Humacao to the nonprofit Asociación Buena Vista Resiliente, Inc. for $1.00. The transferred property would be used to develop a Community Resilience Center with a community dining facility and emergency shelter, with special attention to vulnerable populations including bedridden individuals and those with medical dependencies.

Why is this important

Abandoned public school buildings represent significant underutilized assets in Puerto Rico's communities. This bill addresses dual needs: repurposing defunct infrastructure while establishing disaster preparedness resources in a hurricane-prone region. Given Puerto Rico's recovery from recent hurricanes and ongoing infrastructure challenges, community resilience centers can provide critical social services and emergency response capacity.

Potential points of contention

Asset valuation and public benefit: Transferring substantial real property for $1.00 raises questions about whether fair market value analysis was conducted and whether this represents optimal use of public assets versus potential revenue generation

Organizational capacity and oversight: Limited public information about Asociación Buena Vista Resiliente's operational track record, financial stability, or management experience to maintain facilities and deliver promised services

Suspensive conditions enforcement: The bill references "suspensive conditions" for transfer but provides minimal detail on what triggers, monitoring mechanisms, or consequences exist if the nonprofit fails to meet stated objectives

Long-term sustainability: No explicit provisions addressing funding for ongoing operations, maintenance, staffing, or services once the facility transfers ownership