Washington Square Ground Breaking Set for Aug. 29

Instead of welcoming hundreds of students back to school in August, the site of the former Washington elementary school will be welcoming construction workers and backhoes as work begins on the new Washington Square Apartments.

A groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for 9 a.m. August 29 on 18 new apartment townhomes at the former Washington school property in Holdrege at Eighth Avenue & Morton Street. The project is expected to meet the need for more rental homes for the local workforce.

The project, called Washington Square Apartments in honor of the property’s heritage, is the first phase of three developments planned for the property. The apartments will be constructed on the east side of the property, which will face existing homes on Morton Street.

Flat River Enterprises is the developer for the $2.25 million project. PCDC is providing assistance to the project through LB840 sales-tax funds as it meets the objective of creating workforce housing to help area employers find and retain employees.

BD Construction of Kearney is the main contractor for the project. Without any major weather delays, construction should be complete in about nine months with occupancy expected by the summer of 2018.

The units will be built as single-story triplexes. Each 1,100-square-foot unit will have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The units will be equipped with washers and dryers and kitchen appliances. Off-street parking will be created.

A study conducted last year for PCDC indicated that of the 4,590 jobs in Phelps County, nearly half (or 2,177 jobs) are filled by workers who live outside of the county. PCDC leadership hopes the apartments will be attractive to commuters who want to live in Holdrege but can’t find housing. Recent housing studies show a large demand for this type of housing. If it fills quickly, similar units will be constructed.