Washington School
Independence, Kansas
Project: Washington School, Independence, Kansas
Client: Cohen Esrey Development Group
Architect: Stark Wilson Duncan Architects, Kansas City
Investment: The $5.7million rehabilitation project successfully used federal and Kansas Historic Tax Credits, combined with Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LITHC).
Washington School in Independence, Kansas was dedicated January 3, 1940, constructed with the assistance of the Federal Public Works Administration (PWA).
Built as an elementary school, Washington served the Independence school district for over seventy years, closing in 2011 following construction of a new elementary school and the building was sold to Kansas City development group Cohen Esrey. The elementary school, which had experienced few alterations by the school district, was successfully converted to housing through creative design and attention to detail, each classroom generally becoming an apartment while retaining the terrazzo corridors and stairways and the gymnasium as common area space. The existing original windows were repaired and storm windows were installed on the interior to improve thermal efficiency. Low-profile solar panels were located on the flat roof (obscured by the parapet) to subsidize ongoing energy costs. The building now serves as home to 26 residents including at least one former teacher.
