By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
An Overland Park developer has received tax credits to remodel the former Washington school in Hays.
Overland Property Group is under contract to purchase the school, 305 Main, for $500,000 from the Hays USD 489 school district.
The developer plans to remodel the school into apartments.
StonePost Lofts would consist of up to 20 units with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms targeting families between 30 percent to 80 percent of the Ellis County area median income.
Overland Property Group has built three phases of income-qualified housing in Hays to date. Phase 1, built in 2006, is on the southeast corner of Fifth and Main. Phase 2 was built in 2010 west from the school across Main Street. Phase 3 is immediately north of Larks Park on Fourth Street and was built in 2012.
The school district has until Dec. 31 to close on the sale.
Washington school was the home of the Early Childhood Connections program. However, that program moved to a newly remodeled complex on 13th Street in the fall.
The Learning Center took over space in the Washington Building temporarily after its location in Rockwell Administration Center experienced flooding.
Superintendent Ron Wilson said the Learning Center will likely move back into Rockwell.
Washington is one of the oldest buildings owned by USD 489 at more than 90 years old. The district had determined the building would be too expensive to renovate for other uses.