Developer picked for Sandusky housing project

SANDUSKY — Several new developments occurred as they relate to transforming the former Osborne Elementary School into affordable housing units for senior citizens. Among the most notable points to understand coming out of Monday's Sandusky city commission meeting, officials agreed upon: • Entering into a purchase agreement with Community Building Partners for $100,000; Community will give this amount to Sandusky's government and then oversee development aspects for this project. It's the same price Sandusky officials spent earlier this year when purchasing this historic property from Sandusky Schools. • Giving the company a $750,000 grant, coming from federal funds Sandusky previously acquired through the American Rescue Plan Act; Officials can spend these federal funds on, among other items, affordable housing projects. • Allowing the company a due diligence period, which would involve inspecting this site, through May; If all goes according to plan, the sale should officially go through by then. • Ensuring the project would create at least 20 living units, proposed as one- and two-bedroom dwellings, and only available to those 55 and older • Promise to keep the playground area open for community access • Providing a community engagement process "We will listen to the neighborhood," city ex officio mayor Dick Brady said. "We will hear their voices, and we will make a decision, presumably, on the needs and wants of that neighborhood." Before the project moves forward, it still must go through various hearings, such as for zoning. Construction should begin in March 2025. There's no timeline for when work could end. Bio blast The Columbus-based Community Building Partners classifies itself as an "organization dedicated to creating opportunities for affordable housing in conjunction with readily accessible services, supports and programming for senior citizens," in its coverage area, according to a mission statement. "We're excited to restore this beautiful building while also creating a new source of affordable housing for seniors in Sandusky," company CEO Joseph Recchie said. "Our work is founded on the belief that equitable growth in a community serves the entire region and beyond," Recchie added. "We're looking forward to partnering with local organizations, businesses and neighborhood residents to ensure a collaborative and successful development." Colleen Gilson, the city's community development director, added how Community Building has "a wealth of experience in scoping large, complex projects — including both adaptive reuse and new construction — and in using tax credits, loans and grants to finance projects for public benefit." The company's "principles have over 40 years of experience in community and economic development, specializing in public-private initiatives designed to increase housing, educational and employment opportunities for marginalized populations in metropolitan areas while promoting environmental stewardship and social equity," Gilson said. Honing in on affordable housing For years now, Sandusky has faced extreme challenges "with the need for housing units with the greatest gap in availability recognized for individuals of modest income," according to a city memo. There's both a lack of available and affordable housing across Sandusky, according to a recent study overseen by Firelands Forward, a regional workforce development collaborative. In a small but meaningful step, this project aims to address both issues while reactivating a noteworthy site. "The intent of this purchase is to foster the rehabilitation of the historic Osborne School building through an adaptive reuse project to turn it into housing units and bring it up to modern accessibility standards while preserving historic character," the memo read. Sandusky Schools has "maintained the high quality and condition of the former Osborne School, yet they no longer have a use for the structure," it read. "This transaction will remove an unused building from the school district inventory with the end goal of it becoming a community asset through adaptive reuse as housing." Speaking up School district officials fully support the city's plan, hence why they authorized a purchase agreement with city commission. "Our community, at all levels, desires to be collaborative and supportive to provide the best possible opportunities for our citizens, families and students," district superintendent Dan Rambler said. "We appreciate the collaboration to provide a housing opportunity within our community and renovate an amazing historic building." Government officials, meanwhile, appreciate the school district's trust in their vision. "Osborne School is a beautiful historic building that has been a part of our city for over 130 years, and we are excited about the prospect of giving it new life," city manager John Orzech said. "We look forward to partnering with a developer to rehabilitate the building into affordable housing units, which are greatly needed in Sandusky," Orzech added. "I appreciate the Sandusky City Schools working with us to make this happen." History lesson The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a protected city landmark. The Sandusky Library's history blog briefly summarized the building's early history: According to the book "Treasure by the Bay" by Ellie Damm, Osborne School — formerly known as the Seventh Ward School in Sandusky — was built in the Romanesque Revival style by George Feick in 1890. Many of the students who attended this school were the children of railroad workers. The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway depot was not far from this school. • In 1908, the school was enlarged, with an addition that doubled its size. • In 1912, the name of the Seventh Ward School was changed to Osborne School. • In 2021, Osborne Elementary permanently closed after three new city school district buildings — Sandusky Early Learning Academy for preschool and kindergarten students; Sandusky Primary for first and second-grade students; and Sandusky Intermediate for grades 3-6 — opened. Earlier this year, Monroe Preparatory Academy — which occupies the former Monroe Elementary building — reportedly expressed interest in buying Osborne. Ohio law stipulates that public school districts must first offer a vacant school building to local charter schools, like Monroe Prep, which are operated independently.