Developer discusses potential of city hall as senior housing with city

Cape Girardeau City Hall may become senior-citizen housing if a Jackson developer can find a way to make it economically feasible.

Chad Hartle approached city officials about possibly buying the former elementary school and converting it into senior-citizen housing as he did with the former Schultz School.

But Hartle said Tuesday it would be more challenging to convert the old Lorimier School into affordable housing because it is about a third the size of Schultz School.

Hartle converted Schultz into 45 apartments. Cape Girardeau’s city hall could be renovated into a maximum of 19 units, he said.

“It is problematic,” he said. “You have so many fixed costs.”

Still, Hartle said he hasn’t ruled out the idea of developing the 78-year-old, two-story brick structure on Independence Street into senior-citizen apartments.

“I want to keep that option open,” he said.

Hartle said one of the best ways to preserve old schools is to convert them into senior-citizen apartments by making use of historic-preservation tax credits from the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

Hartle said he has talked with city officials about the possible project.

“I have looked the building over,” he said.

Hartle said he and city manager Scott Meyer met with Missouri Housing Development Commission staff in Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year to discuss the feasibility of such a project.

At this point, Hartle said he is in preliminary discussions with city staff. It could take two to three years to develop plans for such a renovation project, he said.

“It is a long-term goal,” he added.

City officials have suggested it might be prudent to build a new city hall rather than spend a lot of money fixing up the existing building. City hall lacks an elevator, and its worn-out heating and cooling system is a major concern. City officials estimate it would cost more than $1 million to add an elevator and renovate or replace the heating and cooling system.

Mayor Harry Rediger said he believes Cape Girardeau needs a new city hall. But he and other city officials have stressed there is no money in the budget to fix up the current city hall, build a new city hall or turn an existing structure into the city’s administration building.

City manager Scott Meyer said city officials will listen to any offers to buy the existing city hall.

“It is something to keep our minds open about,” he said.

Meyer said ultimately it boils down to whether it is financially feasible for the developer and for the city. Hartle’s interest in the building increases the city’s options regarding the future of the former school, he said.

Hartle said the existing city hall would qualify for tax credits because it is listed as a “contributing factor” of a federally recognized historic district. The building sits in the Courthouse-Seminary Neighborhood Historic District, an area roughly bounded by Themis Street on the north, Morgan Oak Street on the south, Main Street on the east and Middle Street on the west.

If it is not feasible to convert the structure, built in 1937, into senior-citizen apartments, Hartle said it might be renovated for retail use.

He suggested the building could house a restaurant and office space. The large tract of land on which it sits could be used as a site for new senior-citizen housing and parking.

At this point, Hartle has made no final decision about such a development, nor has he made any offer to buy the property.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.