Participating in a ribbon-cutting for Lowell School Apartments today were, left to right,   Fred Bentley, Kansas Housing Resources Corp., Unified Government Commissioner John Mendez, Mayor Joe Reardon, Shari Wilson and Sen. Chris Steineger, R-6th Dist. (Submitted photo)

   A 26 - apartment complex in Kansas City, Kansas, for adults over 55 held its ribbon-cutting today.  

   Co-developers, Kansas State Sen. Chris Steineger and his wife, Shari Wilson, developed the former Lowell Elementary School at 10th and Orville into one-, two- and three-bedroom loft-style apartments with Energy Star appliances, garages, controlled entry access, and a book exchange library while keeping some of the historic features of the building both inside and out. The apartments are close to bus routes and major interstates.

   Lowell School Apartments has already been recognized for both its energy efficiency and preservation effort.  The BPU has recognized the development as the "First Energy Star Apartment Building in KCK."

   The Kansas Preservation Alliance has honored the preservation effort by announcing Lowell School Apartments will receive its highest honor, the "Medallion" Award at a ceremony in June.

   Lowell Elementary was named for poet, abolitionist and teacher, James Russell  Lowell.  It was originally built in 1898 by the Kansas City, Kansas, School District and operated as a neighborhood school until 1984 when it was converted into warehouse space. Steineger and Wilson purchased and began working on the project in 2006.

   The apartments are income-restricted and are professionally managed by nLee Management and Consulting. To tour or learn more about Lowell School Apartments call 913-912-1297 or visit www.nleemgt.com for more information.

   (Information submitted by Cindy Cash)