Valley Junction has always been a mix of working class families, elders who've lived here for decades, and young people looking for their first home. It is also home to a vibrant shopping district that is on the brink of revitalization.
The area is home to a number of public schools and unfortunately, Phenix grade school was closed two years ago due to a budget shortfall. The City of West Des Moines acted quickly and purchased the property for $535,000. Many abandoned school buildings in the metro remain empty for years and become neighborhood eyesores, so West Des Moines approached a non-profit developer to create sorely needed affordable housing units in the former Phenix building.
Community Housing Initiatives is an expert in historic preservation and specializes in converting old schools into apartment homes. A Federal grant and money from a local TIF is already committed to the project. The Phenix site plan includes the construction of six new homes on the block where the building is located.
There is some opposition to the plan and the objection seems to be "affordable housing." The 17 units in Phenix would include four "market rate (full rent)" apartments, and 13 would be reserved for people with 80% or less of the average area income. The homes would have a list price of at least $150,000 (current estimate).
There has been some talk of tearing down Phenix rather than allowing this project to proceed. It's important to note that the current plan is fully funded and the alternative (tearing down Phenix) would cost nearly $400,000 and there is no funding source identified for demolition of the building.
This project fulfills the goal of adding more quality afforable housing and also preserves a historic building.
Phenix School has a gym that would be renovated into a community space. The WDM Library has expressed an interest in putting in a branch in the gym, which would provide the residents an option in a walkable neighborhood.
Please sign this petition if you support the Phenix renovation into beautiful apartments that will preserve the structure, provide much needed affordable housing and save West Des Moines taxpayers money.
