Former Bennington High School to become multi-use space

BENNINGTON, Vt. ( NEWS10 ) — Plans to redevelop the former Bennington High School building took a step forward on Friday. The town received $1 million in federal funding.

The school, which has been empty for 20 years, will be turned into a mixed-use space. It will include affordable and market-rate housing, recreational space, a child care facility and more.

Leaders are excited to turn the property into something that everyone can enjoy.

“People have been discouraged to see it sitting vacant for so long, so this really is a long time coming,” Bennington Community Development Dir. Shannon Barsotti said. “And it’s going to help the whole neighborhood as well as our downtown.”

The project will cost about $45 million. Funding is coming from federal, state, and local sources. Construction hasn’t begun, but town leaders hope to have the project finished by the spring of 2026.

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