Moline High lofts gets ready for rent

By Dawn Neuses
The Dispatch (Moline, IL), March 14, 2006

The dust that comes with neglect has been replaced with construction dust.

Nine months ago, the vacant former Moline High School on 16th Street near 12th Avenue had the simple boxy lines of classrooms, broken windows and peeling paint.

Today, it has many open rooms with cream-colored walls, wood-trimmed doorways and lines of windows that drench the apartments in sunlight, offering downtown views from its hillside perch.

Gorman & Company of Madison, Wis., has been working since June to reconstruct the former 80,000 square-foot school, built in 1915, into 60 apartments. It's a $9.6 million project.

Christopher Laurent, Gorman's senior development manager, said there have been some delays in reconstruction with things such as the elevator. So, instead of opening to tenants this spring, it probably will be ready by June or July.

The company is taking applications from potential renters, and Monday gave a tour to city leaders, starting on the fifth floor.

The company added the rooftop level, where walls of the five apartments are framed. It was designed to hold a common space with a kitchenette and fireplace. "We wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to share in the best view," Mr. Laurent said.

Apartments on the third and fourth floors are being completed. Two-story townhouses, which will take up the first floor and basement, are in the beginning stages of construction.

The building is designed to be a live/work-space targeted toward the art community. Within months, the building will hold a photo lab, kiln, gallery, multi-use workshop and movie theater.

Twelve of the 60 units are designed for people with physical disabilities.

The company has done similar projects in the Midwest targeted toward the art community. Mr. Laurent said they have found that non-artists like living in the buildings as well. "We have a sense of community that the residents bring."

The building was Moline High School until 1958, and a community college campus from 1958 to 1971. Beling Consultants bought the building in 1971 and used it for offices until July 2002.

Mr. Laurent said the building was empty for 2½ years while they pursued various forms of financing. During that time, the building continued to degrade and the company was able to buy it just in time, he said.

It took two months to clean out the building before reconstruction could begin.

Mr. Laurent said he recently was in Moline at night and saw lights on in the building, a nice change. "So just wait until we have people in it. I'll be even more vibrant."

Apartment info
The Old Moline High School Loft Apartments should be ready for occupancy in June or July. For more information, visit www.gormancompany.com.