A former elementary school in Wichita Falls may be destined for new life as a senior housing and community center project.
The Wichita Falls Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday signed off on a plan by Overly Property Group of Dallas to turn the former Lamar Elementary School on Lucas Street into 49 living units and the school’s gymnasium into a neighborhood communal meeting space.
The zoning panel voted to change the property’s zoning from institutional use to high density residential to accommodate the project.
The proposal for the apartments, called Lamar Lofts, would be for residents aged 55 and over and would consist of 19 efficiency apartments and 28 one-bedroom units.
“For people who might be aging, it’s really cool to be included in a normal, single family neighborhood to stay part of the mix and close to their families,” said April Engstrom, the company’s director of development.
She said upon completion of the project, the property would be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The deal does not affect the city’s Lamar Park, which is adjacent to the former school grounds.
The Wichita Falls City Council will have final approval of the deal.
Overland Property Group owns five other apartment complexes in Wichita Falls, according to the Wichita Appraisal District.
The Wichita Falls Independent School District closed Lamar Elementary School in May 2023, sending its students to either Southern Hills or Booker T. Washington elementary schools.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Old school may get new life as senior living center
Reporting by Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News | USA TODAY Network
