(Photo by Cynthia DeLano)
Newly named to the National Register of Historic Places, the old Winona Middle School buildings, now called Washington Crossing, are nearing the end of a long renovation process transforming them into apartments.
When the West Building of the old Winona Middle School opens its doors May 1 as part of Washington Crossing, it will have undergone a metamorphosis measured in millions of dollars, but new tenants who schooled there years ago may find their surroundings strangely familiar.
Although it will have new walls, new individual heating and air conditioning systems and look like spacious one-and two-bedroom apartments instead of classrooms, a MetroPlains representative said, the historic fabric of the building has been painstakingly preserved throughout, creating a new living environment in a historic envelope.
According to MetroPlains Development Coordinator John Errigo, original wood trim, doors and windows were removed and restored rather than replaced to retain the architectural charm that he says will set these apartments apart from most others.
Both the East and West buildings of the old middle school, completed in 1917 and 1926 respectively, were added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 2 of this year, Errigo said, and while restoring architectural features was more expensive and more time consuming than replacing them with new, the end result will be well worth the effort. “There are architectural features in these buildings that you’re simply not going to find anywhere else,” he said.
The West Building will feature 11 one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom apartments, most with unique floor plans, Errigo said. When it opens in the fall of 2004, the East Building will have 11 one-bedroom and 23 two-bedroom apartments.
Contractors are completing demolition of the 1928 gymnasium addition on the East building, Errigo said, taking cautious steps to protect the remaining structure that will contain the East Building apartments and a large auditorium.
Errigo said he is in continuing talks with representatives from the Winona Public Library and a local arts group about restoring the auditorium, something he said MetroPlains is very interested in seeing happen.
For their part, Errigo said, contractors will replace the roof and repair any windows, doors and bricks in need of attention, leaving the interior to the groups that ultimately arrange to use it. “Any future user, whoever that might be, will have the envelope restored,” he said.
Errigo indicated that library officials are interested in working with the local arts group to collaborate on a way to both expand the library’s programming space and enhance Winona’s performing arts offerings under one roof.
“We want to see the auditorium occupied,” Errigo said. “If the auditorium is being used, it will be a fantastic amenity for the people living at Washington Crossing.”
Also, Errigo said, SEMCAC is a co-general partner in the ownership group for Washington Crossing, which may lead to a SEMCAC dining facility in the building as well.
Currently, Errigo said, architects are evaluating a 4,000-square-foot space located in between the apartment portion and auditorium portion of the East Building. If funds allow, he said, SEMCAC may locate a dining facility in that space.
And while SEMCAC is known locally for serving meals to seniors, this is not a senior citizen apartment complex, Errigo said.
Of the 62 total units expected to be available in Washington Crossing, he said, 42 will have income caps in place and be offered to lower income individuals for a below-market rate. Many senior citizens may be eligible for those apartments, he said, but so would couples, singles and small families that fall below the income guidelines. Income capped apartments will rent for between $474 and $574 per month, while market-rate apartments will range between $625 and $725, Errigo said.
Although they may qualify under the income guidelines, Errigo added, certain classes of students would not be eligible for the reduced rent apartments under federal guidelines.
Of the remaining 20 apartments, however, there are no age restrictions for either seniors or students, Errigo said. Applicants will instead be evaluated on rental history and other eligibility criteria. “We’re looking for quality renters with a good history,” Errigo said of the possibility that students and seniors could potentially share the same roof. “Management is the key to having a livable apartment community,” he explained. “People from different walks can peacefully coexist because they are good renters.”
The East and West old middle school buildings were purchased by MetroPlains almost four years ago for $5,000 after District 861 built a new middle school. The total renovation project on both buildings is expected to top $7.8 million, Errigo said.
Plans to renovate the buildings into apartments were way-layed by more than 12 months, Errigo said, when the Winona County Courthouse flooded in the fall of 2000 and county offices occupied the West building until the end of 2002 while repairs took place.
|
