By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The aging building that is the former Washington Elementary School is going to be sold by the Hays USD 489 school district and an affordable housing developer wants to buy it.
The facility at 305 Main currently houses the Early Childhood Connections (ECC) program which will be moved to the Oak Park Medical Complex, 2501 E. 13th, once that building is renovated. ECC operations in Munjor will also move to Oak Park and that former school building will be closed.
Overland Property Group, Leawood, is interested in converting the historic Washington building, which opened in 1926, into low-income apartments.
Matt Gillam, vice president of development, explained the proposed project at Monday’s school board meeting. The group built the three phases of StonePost apartments located near Washington in downtown Hays.
“The school building itself kind of lends it perfectly to our footprint and potential expansion,” said Gillam. “I’m looking to make another investment into Hays and it’s for the long term.”
Washington’s last day as an elementary school was May 19, 2015. It was then repurposed to house Early Childhood Connections. Only part of Washington school can be used for student classrooms. Washington is also not handicap accessible and has had significant infrastructure issues.
Gillim hopes to save the building and convert it to apartments using the same funding mechanism the group has used elsewhere. The federal low income housing tax credits are administered by the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation (KHRC).
“I would potentially also go after some federal historic credits if I’m able to save the school, and if at all possible, I would.”
If the historic status is not permitted, Gillam said he would come back to the board to let them know the project would be pursued as a building tear-down.
Best case scenario, construction would start at the school at the end of 2019 and into the first quarter of 2020, Gilliam said.
“The lead time for this type of funding and resources is rather long,” he acknowledged. Application for the low income housing credits would be made in February, followed by the historical credits, which is a less competitive process.
“I’ve already done some research with our historical consultant and we believe the school will qualify.”
Gillam will meet with Superintendent John Thissen to prepare more information and updates for board members to review before their next meeting on Jan. 14.