Early renovation work is underway now for part of the old Chase County School in Cottonwood Falls.
Ceiling work underway now is actually benefiting both the space now active as a community center and the space opening next year as apartments. Here’s Chase County Old School Development District spokesperson Lee Anne Coester:
Full-blown renovations begin early next year after the district announced a partnership with Frontier Development of Manhattan in September to use the so-called 1903 building as apartments. Ten units, five each for one-bedroom and two-bedroom dwellings, are expected.
Coester says the board got a $1 million grant for the apartment half of the project. She also says the partnership and community support have energized group members.
This follows an effort better than 10 years in the making to repurpose the entire property. The next step for the community center is to get heating and air conditioning into the gymnasium space, and fundraising continues to make that happen. Residents wanting to donate can do so through the Emporia Community Foundation or Citizens State Bank in Cottonwood Falls.
