IMAGE: Courtesy BNIM Architects & Make It Right Foundation
A major redevelopment in Kansas City is now underway, with the support of the Make It Right Foundation – founded by actor Brad Pitt to build affordable housing in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina – donating $2.3 million toward construction of green, affordable housing units on the grounds of the old Bancroft School within KC’s Green Impact Zone. Upon its completion, the $14 million Bancroft redevelopment will include 50 affordable housing units: 29 in the remodeled school building and 21 in new town homes to be constructed on school grounds, all meeting LEED Platinum standards.
After discussions for more than a year, this project now moves forward after the announcement last Monday by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II and Kansas City Mayor Sly James – which follows a decision by the Missouri Housing Development Corporation to approve a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit application that will allow redevelopment of the vacant Bancroft School. The project will also receive $1.4 million in federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; $3 million in federal and state historic preservation tax credits; and $676,000 in Affordable Housing Assistance Program tax credits.
BNIM Architects is leading the design, with Dalmark Development Group as the developer. Other key players include the Historic Manheim Park Neighborhood Association, Kansas City’s Neighborhood Housing Services, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), and the Green Impact Zone.
IMAGE: Courtesy BNIM Architects & Make It Right Foundation
For more on this amazing new project, see Kevin Collison’s piece in the Kansas City Star, “Brad Pitt’s foundation to help redevelop Bancroft School”:
A bond forged in storm-ravaged New Orleans between actor Brad Pitt and a local architecture firm is bearing fruit in Kansas City — and may show the path forward to reusing dozens of empty schools.
The long-closed Bancroft School at 4300 Tracy Ave. will be renovated into affordable apartments and a community center with the aid of the Make It Right Foundation founded by Pitt, a Hollywood superstar with deep Missouri roots, and the creative talents of BNIM Architects, his helper in New Orleans.
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The $14 million project calls for the existing 103-year-old brick school building to be converted into 29 affordable apartments with a 6,250-square-foot community center on the main floor. A new building with 21 apartments will also developed. READ MORE
via www.kansascity.com
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