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Plans have been announced to bring the old Kirn School gym back to life.

J Development Co. of Council Bluffs, which bought the long vacant property at 510 Bluff St. two years ago, plans to restore it into apartments, co-owner Jim Royer said.

“We’re looking at 20 apartments, a mixture of one- and two-bedroom units,” Royer said. . . .

Plans are under way to bring new life to the old Kirn Gym. . . .

According to the council information, significant costs will be incurred, as the project needs all new systems, including plumbing, electrical, heating/air conditioning and windows. Total project costs are estimated to exceed $2.1 million. . . .

The Council Bluffs City Council Monday evening delayed action on a proposal to renovate the vacant old Kirn Gym into apartments.

A development agreement between the city and the developers needed more work, the council was told during its afternoon study session. . . .

. . . The council unanimously gave its required support for J Development Co. to seek $211,000 in tax credits to help finance the renovation of the old Kirn Gym, 510 Bluffs St., into 20 apartments. When completed, the renovated building will include eight garden units and 12 on the main level. Total cost of the project is to be more than $2.5 million.

The project has already received city and state approval for Enterprise Zone benefits that offer state sales tax rebates on related purchases, plus a 10-year property tax abatement on the increased taxable value of the project. . . .

Wood floors, basketball hoops, a game clock, and bleachers...oh and the best part? all of the amenities you'd expect to find in modern loft style living.

The historically renovated gymnasium will offer 1- and 2-bedroom loft style apartment units complete with modern amenities. The only thing you'll have to bring is your own cheering section.

Brad wrote:I merged them together.

The biggest rewards tend to come from long shots.

This is literally true in basketball. Sink a basket from at least 19 feet, 9 inches away from the hoop (in a high school game) and you get three points.

This is figuratively true in buildings. Sink $2.5 million into an old school gym that was standing empty, and you get 3 Point.

3 Point Lofts is the latest school-turned-apartments project in the Omaha metro area.

Its innovative design provides an instructive and fun model for shuttered school buildings like three of the recently closed South Omaha Catholic schools. And the 87-year-old neo-Gothic, red-brick structure serves as a reminder that what is old can be made new again if you step behind the line, have a little vision and aim right. . . .

Coyote wrote:Too lazy to look back, but do we have floor plans for this yet?

The Council Bluffs Historic Preservation commission will present the annual Historic Preservation Award to ‘J’ - Development Company during a celebration for Preservation Month.