The old Dunbar Elementary School at 1432 NE 7 St. is to be renovated into affordable senior independent living units, with possible future development.

They are seeking $525,000 in City grant money for the senior housing.

This is very near another school that will also soon be renovated, Page Woodson.



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I think senior housing is a great fit for this project.

Dunbar School in northeast Oklahoma City to be transformed into senior housing | News OK (http://newsok.com/dunbar-school-in-northeast-oklahoma-city-to-be-transformed-into-senior-housing/article/4919581)

Not to take this thread off topic but, what's the school a couple of blocks to the west at Stonewall and 6th? I've always thought that was a cool building. It would be a shame if it were ever torn down.

Page Woodson School.

http://newsok.com/sales-of-abandoned-schools-produce-eyesores-in-oklahoma-city-neighborhoods/article/5513722

Historic Dunbar school to be renovated into senior housing (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=502-Historic-Dunbar-school-to-be-renovated-into-senior-housing)

After a false start, the abandoned Dunbar school in near northeast Oklahoma city is set for a full renovation.


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Commonwealth Companies of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is set to buy the property next month and is already seeking construction bids which would preserve the building and convert it into 52 senior apartments.

A representative from Commonwealth told OKCTalk in a phone interview that the company is excited by the opportunity to preserve the old school and offer affordable, well-maintained senior housing to the area.

The company has already received approval for $750,000 in historic tax credits after Dunbar was placed on the national register of historic places.


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The entire development, to be named Dunbar Commons, is reserved for income-qualified tenants, as 40% or 21 of the units will be set aside for those earning no more than 50% of the median income for the Oklahoma City area and the remainder (31 apartments) falling under 60% of the local median income.

If all goes well when construction bids are received in a couple of weeks, Commonwealth will close on the property and start work in July with full completion requiring 14 months.

In addition to the 52 apartments, amenities will include a community room, business center, physical fitness room, a safe room for storms, an elevated gardening area and walking trail around the former school's 4+ acres.

Commonwealth hopes to keep many current residents in the area who desire to transition to low-maintenance, retirment living.

The 2-story historic brick school at 1432 NE 7th Street is now surrounded by scores of new homes and the beautifully restored Page Woodson school – with income-qualified and market rate housing – is a few blocks to the west.


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Commonwealth Companies was established in 2001 and now has projects in 12 states including several schools which have been converted to apartments.


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In 2015, Oklahoma City Public Schools sold Dunbar to local investor Ward Hall who first promised senior housing in the school and new free-standing buildings before tranferring ownership to another partnership last Decemeber with Hall being the majority owner. When the pending sale is finalized, Commonwealth and a tax credit investor will be the sole owners.

Architect on the project is M+A Design of Fond du Lac.


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Very neat concept! When was this school closed? Was it closed due to another school opening near by? I do like the architecture on these schools, so I'm glad it is being preserved.

Very neat concept! When was this school closed? Was it closed due to another school opening near by? I do like the architecture on these schools, so I'm glad it is being preserved.

Been closed for a number of years due to declining enrollment in the area. Same with Page Woodson just to the west.

The project is now well under construction.

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They are already leasing and the first residents should be moving in soon.

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Still looks a bit rough around the building ...I imagine landscaping is on the way?

Still looks a bit rough around the building ...I imagine landscaping is on the way?

That drone photo is about a month old, I just had forgotten to post it.

They've made good progress since.

Awesome ...I love these kinds of projects!

Press release from the contractor, CMS Willowbrook:

*************

Construction Ends at Dunbar Commons Senior Apartments
Residents will move into former Dunbar Elementary this month

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 7, 2019) ̶ A vacant, historic elementary school in Oklahoma City, Dunbar Elementary, has been converted into 52 senior apartments now called Dunbar Commons.

CMSWillowbrook, the construction company facilitating the project, led the application process which placed the property on the National Register of Historic Places.

The development is reserved for income-qualified tenants over the age of 65, with 21 units set aside for those earning no more than 50% of the median income for the Oklahoma City area and the remainder (31 apartments) falling under 60% of the local median income.

“Our company values working on projects which require our on-site skills as well as our ability to help owners with financing and other procedures,” said Heather Rouba, CMSWillowbrook project manager. “Dunbar Commons gives new life to a historic building while providing much-needed housing in the city.”

Amenities include a community room, business center, physical fitness room, a safe room for storms, an elevated gardening area and a walking trail.

The project is owned by Commonwealth Companies, which was established in 2001 and now has projects in 12 states, including several schools which have been converted to apartments.

“We are excited to see the completed project and start moving in residents,” said Craig Alter, vice president of development at Commonwealth Companies. “This is a beautiful building, and we are so thankful for the great team at CMSWillowbrook for all their help with construction and navigating the historic tax credit system.”

Construction wrapped up in September, and residents are expected to move in before the end of October. One- and two-bedroom units are still available for lease, visit www.dunbarcommons.com to learn more.

Dunbar Commons is located at 1432 NE 7th St. in Oklahoma City.

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