Contract is approved for converting Norman School building into apartments

Del Hedgepath will proceed with converting the vacant, 109-year-old Norman School building to apartments following approval Wednesday by Kansas City’s Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.

The agency’s board approved a 10-year, 100 percent property tax abatement on the $13.1 million project, which calls for 61 apartments to be built in the existing school building and two additions on the building’s north side.

Hedgepath, through Norman School Lofts LLC, has owned the property since 2008.

Attorney Mike Burke, representing the developer, told the LCRA board that the project “has been a long time in the making” and that it has finally obtained neighborhood approval and other approvals to move forward.

Hedgepath said the building, at 3521 Summit St., is boarded up, suffers weekly break-ins and is in sad shape. He told LCRA board members that he was convinced the project can now move forward and that he will be able to maintain the renovated property in good condition.

According to financial conditions presented to the board, the project’s 48 one-bedroom units are likely to rent for about $1,000 a month and its 13 two-bedroom units are likely to rent for about $1,300 a month.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Contract is approved for converting Norman School building into apartments."