Pre-construction open house planned for West Des Moines Phenix Elementary

Community Housing Initiatives, the nonprofit responsible for converting West Des Moines historic Phenix Elementary to mixed-income artist apartments, has announced an open house at the property Monday, June 12, from 4 to 7 pm.

“With this event, we are also putting a call out to the community to share your stories about what this historic building’s past as a school has meant to the community.  We want to encourage people to share photographs and memories of Phenix school as we work hard to preserve the building’s physical historic features during renovation,” said Sam Erickson, CHI’s chief operating officer.

The event is an opportunity for Valley Junction neighbors and the public to tour the building prior to the start of construction, which will begin in June.  Work at the property is expected to continue for just under a year with leasing of the apartments planned for Spring of 2018.

Phenix School Apartments will uniquely cater to practicing artists across a wide variety of media, bolstering the unique artistic and creative scene already present in the Historic Valley Junction neighborhood.

“The fabulous natural light streaming through the large windows in Phenix School Apartments will be an attractive working environment for many, but additional shared studio space will be available in the building’s interior and we look forward to working with artist residents to create a unique and vibrant live-work environment at Phenix,” Erickson said.

Community Housing Initiatives will begin accepting applications for Phenix School Apartments in early 2018, but anyone who wishes to be informed when applications are accepted can call 515-223-0029 to be added to an inquiry list managed from CHI’s West Des Moines office at Crestview Terrace Apartments, 916 Ashworth Road.

Community Housing Initiatives has also announced a website for the new apartment community, www.phenixschoolwdm.com, which will feature updates on construction progress, and later, leasing information.  That website also offers the public an opportunity to submit photos or other memories of Phenix school.

This information was cross-posted from www.PhenixSchoolWDM.com