Elementary school converted into senior apartments

A kitchen at Dunbar Common at 1432 NE Seventh St. in Oklahoma City. (Courtesy photo/CMSWillowbrook)

Journal Record Staff Oct. 7, 2019 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Dunbar Elementary School has been converted into 52 senior apartments called Dunbar Commons at 1432 NE Seventh St. in Oklahoma City.

CMSWillowbrook, the construction company on the project, led the application process that 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 other 31 apartments for people with 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.”

The project 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 Cos., which was established in 2001 and now has projects in 12 states, including several schools that have been converted to apartments.

“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,” said Craig Alter, vice president of development at Commonwealth Cos.

Construction was completed in September and residents are expected to move in before the end of October.

https://journalrecord.com/2019/10/07/elementary-school-converted-into-senior-apartments/