People living near two closed and long-vacant Kansas City school buildings might soon be getting new neighbors, thanks to the Kansas City Public Schools repurposing program.
On Monday, the school district presented a proposal for the former Ladd Elementary School. The district will present another plan for the Marlborough Elementary—both schools are among 30 schools the district has tried to repurpose or sell.
Ladd Elementary School was first built in 1912 updated in 1922 and 1986. The school district closed the building in 2010.
“It’s a place that looks like nobody is there. Even the surroundings, the houses across the street are pretty much vacant,” said Pat Clarke, president of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association.
The proposal the district is considering would sell the building to the Palestine Economic Development Corp. Developers have presented a plan to turn the school building into an assisted living center and memory care unit, as well as provide a walk-in clinic for the community.
In the past, proposals for the former Ladd Elementary have been rejected because of insufficient funding. Another proposal fell through when the developer pulled out.
A proposal for the former Ladd Elementary School would be contingent on historic tax credits. A proposal for former Marlborough Elementary School, if approved, would also be contingent on similar funding.
Marlborough Elementary School was first built in 1927 and updated in 1930 and 1952. The district closed the school in 2007.
Vandals have targeted the school ever since it closed. It was once a candidate for demolition and the district tells 41 Action News, its insurance company ruled it a “complete loss.”
Exact Partners LLC has proposed buying the property and turning it into market-rate apartments as well as ground-floor commercial space.
KCPS will present plans for Marlborough Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 pm at Metro Patrol Division Station.
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at Ariel.Rothfield@KSHB.com.
