Osawatomie City Council members have approved the site plan for West Elementary Lofts, a planned senior housing development located at the site of the former Swenson Early Childhood Education Center. It has been vacant for nearly a decade and has deteriorated in condition. USD 367 sold the property to Pacific LLC in December 2016 for $1.
Lawrence-based Alcove Development showed interest in the property and contacted the city about its potential reuse. Alcove eventually bought it and plan to remodel the building to create 20 apartment units, and Osawatomie City Council members previously approved the rezoning of the property to allow for the development.
The building requires extensive renovation, and developers are seeking historic and low-income senior housing tax credits to help turn the development plan into a reality. The building was approved to be added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is the first step toward acquiring historic tax credits. Alcove says the process is a little longer for the low-income senior housing tax credits through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, but they should know by spring or summer if they are successful.
