The Salina Heritage Commission unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness for the renovation of Pioneer President's Place, soon to be known as RL Lofts, during their Tuesday meeting.
Hutton Building filed application CA25-1 requesting approval to rehabilitate the historic Roosevelt-Lincoln school complex located between 7th and 8th streets on Mulberry Street in downtown Salina. The property, platted as a school park in the original town of Salina in 1862, features two distinct historic structures - the Prairie style Lincoln School built in 1915 and the English revival Roosevelt School constructed in the early 1920s.
Kristen Anderson, design project manager at Hutton, presented details of the renovation project, which aims to preserve the historic character of the buildings while making necessary repairs and updates.
"We are replacing non-historic millwork and appliances," Anderson clarified during the meeting. "Any existing classroom materials or cabinet doors would remain in place and treated under the Secretary of the Interior standards."
The buildings, which operated as Roosevelt Lincoln Junior High until 2002, were converted to senior housing in 2004-2005, creating 61 apartment units for residents 55 or older. The property was listed on the state and national registries of historic places in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The current renovation will maintain the same number of apartment units and continue to operate as affordable housing. Plans include structural repairs to columns and roof deck affected by moisture damage, roof replacement while preserving stone coping, restoration of historic window openings, and masonry repointing.
City staff noted that the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office (SHIPO) had previously reviewed the project as part of state and federal historic tax credit applications, identifying three conditions that needed addressing: exterior lighting, basement waterproofing, and interior lighting.
Anderson confirmed that amendments addressing these conditions have been submitted to SHIPO for review. The plan includes relamping existing exterior and corridor fixtures rather than replacing them to maintain historic character.
"The fixtures on the exterior lighting especially are okay in functionality and appearance. We want to not be wasteful," Anderson explained.
The Heritage Commission approved the certificate of appropriateness with the condition that any significant changes to the approved renovation plans would require additional review. The commission also separately determined that Hutton's project will not damage or destroy any character-defining features of the Roosevelt-Lincoln property, fulfilling their responsibilities under state historic preservation law.
The project will next go before the Design Review Board and eventually to the City Commission for final approval.
