By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
VICTORIA— Work is progressing on St. John's Place in Victoria, and deposits are being accepted for the building's senior apartments.
The apartments are set to be move-in ready by May 1, Brenda Dreiling of the Victoria Community Coalition said.
The former nursing home was taken down to the metal studs and is now being reconstructed with new electrical, plumbing, cabinets, windows, fixtures, flooring and sheetrock.
SEE RELATED STORY: St. John's Place in Victoria breaks ground on phase 1 renovations
Dreiling said the building's bones were excellent, but it had been vacant for more than 10 years. The roof was damaged, causing leaks and water damage, which has all been repaired.
The building will have four two-bedroom apartments, two studio apartments and six one-bedroom apartments. One of the studio apartments will be handicap accessible.
Some of the amenities in the apartments include pantries, walk-in closets, water softeners, quartz countertops and barn-door entries in some rooms to optimize space.
The showers have low thresholds and built-in seats to make them more accessible for seniors.
"We wanted it to be a more upscale apartment complex for the elderly," Marilyn Braun of the coalition said. "Our intent here in Victoria was to get as many older people interested in the process as possible so we could open up some homes for younger families in the community."
Many rural communities are experiencing declining enrollments, and Dreiling said coalition members hoped bringing families to Victoria would boost local school enrollment.
She said the Victoria housing market is very tight, with many homes selling before they officially hit the market.
The senior housing at St. John's Place is meant to allow seniors in Victoria to age in place, Dreiling said.
The coalition conducted a housing study before starting the St. John's Place project. Its members found most community members were moderate-income, and senior residents wanted more housing options.
Victoria has low-cost housing, but those units are usually full, Braun said.
The seniors will have a shared common room with seating for socializing. There will also be a shared laundry room with three washers and dryers, which will not be coin-operated.
The next renovation phase includes an activity room that can be rented by members of the public. The senior residents will be able to reserve the room for free.
Several small enclosed outdoor courtyards, one with a gazebo, will also be available to the seniors. As the weather warms, coalition members will replant those courtyards and provide seating.
"We are looking at somebody who, as they are getting older, doesn't want to scoop snow in the winter time or mow grass, pay taxes, pay their own insurance," Dreiling said.
The coalition also hopes to make St. John's Place a senior meal site to encourage senior companionship.
The rent for the apartments starts at $725 per month for a studio and goes up to $1,275 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. The Victoria Community Coalition website has a price list, floor plans, square footage, and applications.
Deposits will be required to hold an apartment until the move-in date.
Although the space is under construction, coalition members are available to give interested renters tours. The coalition had an open house in December, and more open house events are planned as construction progresses.
If you want to learn more about the apartments or schedule a tour, call Dreiling at 785-735-4141.
Fundraising
The coalition is still fundraising to complete the apartment project. An additional $208,000 is needed for upgrades the coalition opted for in the construction process.
You can donate directly through the coalition website or mail checks payable to "Victoria Community Coalition" to Victoria Community Coalition, PO Box 94, Victoria, KS 67671.
The coalition also has a fund established at the Heartland Community Foundation.
Visit https://HeartlandCommunityFoundation.org, go to Giving/Give to a Fund and then select "Let's Grow Victoria" Fund under the Community Development section.
Future phases
The coalition has received an $8,000 grant for office equipment and designs for the next construction phase, including the activity room.
The coalition hopes to convert the former chapel into a community room with a kitchen. Victoria has no community center or venue space except for the VFW and school spaces.
The coalition would also like to add a small coffee/sandwich shop in the building. That space is across from one of the building's courtyards, which would allow for outdoor seating.
The coalition is considering renovating two spaces that abut the apartments into Airbnb rentals. The two units would have separate entrances from the apartments.
Dreiling said the Airbnbs would generate additional revenue for the coalition and the community.
"All the money that we make or we raise goes back to the community in one way or the other," Dreiling said.
The Ellis County Historical Society is already using the second floor of the south side of the building for storage.
The organization is fundraising to renovate the ground floor into a satellite museum that will focus on the influence of oil and agriculture on the region's history.
SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Historical Society breaks ground on Victoria satellite location