By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The former Washington Elementary School in downtown Hays will retain its historical significance when repurposed as affordable housing in a project proposed by Overland Property Group (OPG) of Leawood.
The city commission Thursday night unanimously approved a Resolution of Support sought by developer Matt Gillam for federal tax credits through the state.
Washington School opened its doors in 1926 and May 19, 2015.
The USD 489 Early Childhood Connections program is currently housed in the building at 305 Main and will move to the Oak Park Medical Complex, 2501 E. 13th, once it is renovated.
“I know a lot of people have said you’re going to come in and tear it down. That is not what I put in front of the state. It is for historical rehab of that school and it’s to put 18 apartment units inside that school,” Gillam told commissioners.
Fifteen of the units in StonePost Lofts will be one-bedroom apartments. There aren’t very many of those in Hays.
“This is a really cool opportunity to be able to fill the gap with one-bedrooms, do a historic renovation on the school and money is spent so that it is not an eyesore for the community,” Gillam added. “It’s going to be a contributing piece of real estate in a very vital piece of downtown.”
Gillam said the state now has the application for the Kansas Housing Resources Corp. Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and he has talked with the state historical society. His contractors have also checked out the building.
He noted the school gymnasium cannot be converted to apartments.
“There’s a lack of windows and because of the historical significance, I’ll have to maintain that as a kind of internal community activity space.”
Plans are to replace the building roof and and the HVAC system. A large asphalt parking lot on the property will be improved for use by the tenants.
Gillam estimates the renovation will cost a minimum of $4 million.
“I think this is a wonderful project,” said Commissioner Sandy Jacobs. “I’ve lived here all my life and I’m very attached to that building. I think it’s going to do much for our downtown.”
Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil asked how much of the renovation work would be done by local contractors.
OPG is not a contractor, Gillam pointed out.
“We use McPherson Group of Topeka a lot which has done some recent stuff at Fort Hays State University. We’ve really dialed in that local subcontractor.” An OPG project underway in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, utilized 70 percent local subcontractors, according to Gillam.
Apartment rental prices would range from $380 to $600 a month plus utilities.
OPG has three other qualified-income housing projects open in the area of south Main Street.
“We have a very substantial waiting list on StonePost on all phases right now,” Gillam reported.