Mural, Mural on the Wall

Photo Credit: Vincennes Sun-Commerical

Photo Credit: Vincennes Sun-Commerical

One of the final pieces of the Clark’s Crossing puzzle has been completed. Flaherty & Collins Properties Vincennes, Indiana project is an adaptive reuse of two vacant historic buildings. And after the project got underway, F&C’s Duane Miller, Vice President of Development, and other development team members wanted to do something unique and artistic to celebrate the history of the site and Vincennes.

Thus, they enlisted local artist Andy Jendrzejewski, who clearly had a vision for the site, as he recently told the Vincennes Sun-Commerical.

“I’m not sure they knew what to make of it at first. But then I got that one little corner up there done,” he said gesturing to the top left-hand corner of the mural, one he calls “The Blue Wabash.” “Then, all of a sudden, they were like, ‘Whoa, that’s beautiful!

Jendrzejewski and his wife, Amy DeLap, both retired Vincennes University art professors, worked on the mural since early 2015 in the community room at Clark’s Crossing, the old downtown middle school building repurposed as a 47-unit senior living apartment complex.

“It was so lovely to be able to talk to them. And how insightful they became about the art. I was really touched by that. I think the nicest part of this whole experience was working with the community, hearing their wonderful little river stories.”

It’s certainly a fitting final touch to the Clark’s Crossing project.

Transformation Tuesday: Clark’s Crossing

One of the newest affordable projects in the Flaherty & Collins Properties stable, Clark’s Crossing, is a historic rehab that truly defines “transformation” of a space. In March 2013, plans were announced to renovate the former Vincennes Community School Corporation Administrative building and Adams Coliseum, and to tear down the former Clark Middle School. After the demolition of Clark Middle School, the area would first become green space. The space would also be available for future development as needed.

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Historic buildings can become energy efficient, you just need a team of experts who have the know-how to get it done, while keeping features that preserve the character of the building. Techniques such as weatherizing must be conducted carefully to achieve this objective.

Clark’s Crossing did just that.

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If you dig history, check out this sign – dated 1926 – the Adams Coliseum needed a facelift (and more).

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And now, Clark’s Crossing is an adaptive reuse of two vacant historic buildings for uses that benefit the community in a variety of aesthetically pleasing ways.  All of the services and amenities of downtown Vincennes are within close proximity and walking distance to the property. There is also easy access to all of the services and events that are offered in the Community Service Center located directly adjacent in the restored Adams Coliseum.

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Learn more about Clark’s Crossing HERE.

 

Clark’s Crossing Opens

Clark's-Crossing_RenderAn exciting day for our Flaherty & Collins Properties team yesterday, as we opened two new affordable developments in Southern Indiana.

We covered the first, Downtown Terrace, last week. Today, we take a look at the actual festivities in Vincennes, Ind. for the truly grand opening of Clark’s Crossing, a senior living center that features 47 unique affordable apartment homes. It is an adaptive reuse of two historic buildings.

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A collaborative effort between Myszak + Palmer, Flaherty & Collins Properties, Vincennes Community School Corporation (VCSC), The Vincennes Education Foundation and Vision Communities, the project involved the reuse of the old Clark Middle School and Adams Coliseum. Kuhl & Grant, LLP provided legal services and McKinley Development, LLC provided consulting services on the project.

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The development used the sale of historic tax credits and rental housing tax credits to turn the two buildings into a senior living facility in the heart of downtown Vincennes. Additional funding was provided by HOME and Development Fund Loans.  Flaherty & Collins Properties will manage the property.

“We’re excited to officially open Clark’s Crossing,” said Duane Miller, Vice President of Community & Asset Management for Flaherty & Collins Properties. “There is a lot of excitement in the community over this project and we are ready to share the results of all the efforts to see the best senior living facility in Vincennes come to fruition.”

“Everybody wants to come and take a look,” added Andy Myszak, of Myszak + Palmer. “We have had a few groups through the buildings already, but until now, not a lot of people have seen the final product.”

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First residents were welcomed in late February. Spacious one and two-bedroom apartment homes offer a fully equipped kitchen with energy efficient appliances, hardwood flooring, over-sized closets, and washer and dryer. Energy Star HVAC and windows will assist in reducing ongoing monthly utility bills. The unit mix includes 35 one bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units and two efficiency units. Five units have been set-aside for special needs households.

Residents of Clark’s Crossing will also enjoy a business center, clubhouse, emergency maintenance, high-speed internet access and controlled building access. Additionally, residents will have easy access to all of the services and amenities of downtown Vincennes, most notably services and events offered in the Community Service Center, which is directly adjacent to the property in Adams Coliseum.

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Part of the project included the restoration of Adams Coliseum (shown above in a 1920s rendering), which hosted its first basketball game at the end of February. New, brighter lighting, painted bleachers and new windows now adorn the historic gym. Adams Coliseum will be run by The Vincennes Education Foundation, and will include programming that will encourage resident and community interaction.

As a tribute to that interaction, our very own Development Team, led by F&C team member Daniel Murphy, played to the crowd – literally – yesterday. Daniel is an accomplished pianist, and showed off his immense skills in tickling the ivories at the event.

New Game, Old Feel

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This week, Adams Coliseum in Vincennes became the new old home to Lincoln High School for the first time since 2012.

“It was loud in here<” said Lincoln coach Jeff Hein. “It was a fun game.”

Part of the development of Clark’s Crossing, three buildings were assumed by Myszak and Palmer in 2014, and along with Flaherty & Collins Properties, the team has used historic tax credits to turn the buildings into a senior living facility (Clark’s Crossing). The facility will house around 50 residents this year.

Part of the project included the Coliseum, painting the bleachers and the basketball floor, along with installing better lighting.