An Independence, Kan., elementary school built in 1939 and shuttered in 2011 has been given a new life. Constructed as part of the New Deal, the Art Deco building has been transformed into 23 units of affordable housing for seniors 55 and older.
Developer Cohen-Esrey Development Group partnered with nonprofit Preserving US, the supportive services provider and managing owner, on the adaptive-reuse project.
“It’s a vibrant community lacking affordable housing options. There’s not a huge influx in housing supply being built. We like to provide new options for residents who have lived there their entire lives,” says Jon Atlas, vice president of development at Cohen-Esrey, adding that this type of product is very well received with seniors who are downsizing or relocating to a new apartment.
Washington Historic Residences includes 21 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units for residents earning 50% and 60% of the area median income. In addition, one unit is set aside for a formerly homeless resident. The space that once was a combined gym and cafeteria now serves as a community room with a glass-enclosed manager’s office—a modern touch in a historic building. In addition, slate blackboards from the original school built on the site in 1902 remain in the units.
The development team also included energy-efficient appliances and heating and cooling as well as a solar array on the roof to offset the community space’s utility costs.
“It’s great to see how the preservation of a physical space means so much to a community, and we’re excited to be a partner in preserving this part of their life for future generations, even if it’s not a school anymore,” adds Atlas.
The $5.7 million development utilized housing tax credits, federal and state historic tax credits, and energy tax credits.
