Former charter operator Aspira declares bankruptcy, could keep profit from sale of taxpayer-funded building

On a busy stretch of North Milwaukee Avenue, the four-story windows of a sleek white limestone building are devoid of activity just weeks before the start of school. The state spent $27 million to build the former charter school just over a decade ago. But instead of getting ready to welcome back students, the Avondale building is on the verge of being sold to a real-estate investment company for a fraction of what taxpayers spent to construct it. The charter school’s former operator, Aspira…