Chris Collins, president of Roy Collins Construction Company Inc., out of Cleveland was in town recently when he learned about the old Clarksdale High School building on School Street that is still vacant.
After taking a look inside and investigating the building, Collins will be attempting to restore it into a home for senior citizens to stay. It would be called Wildcat Senior Living, LP.
“I like to take buildings that were once useful that are not being used at the present time and bring them those back,” Collins said. “Those old buildings have a story to tell. It’s an eyesore there for the community, as it is now.”
Ward 2 commissioner Ken Murphey was actually the first to bring the building to Collins’ attention.
“I was in Clarksdale awhile with another group looking at doing some stuff and Ken Murphey actually told our group about that building,” Collins said.
“When he mentioned it to us that day, we went over to go see it. The building was in better shape in the interior than what I expected.”
Collins said he expected all the interior walls to be falling down, but, as it turned out, the structure was very sound.
“There has been some vandalism to it, but, overall, I’ve seen buildings in much worse condition,” he said.
Collins said he had an architect look at the building and he determined it could be restored.
Collins said Murphey informed him the building was on the state historic register list, which means it is available for federal and state historic tax credits. He noted the restoration work must be up to a certain standard. He is submitting an application to the Mississippi Home Corporation out of Jackson.
“We feel like our application will be very competitive and we certainly hope we get an award,” Collins said. “We suspect they would announce the awards in July.
“The city is not contributing any more or any item type to this. The city of Clarksdale has been very, very helpful in getting us together everything we need for this project.”
Collins does have a backup plan in mind if he is unable to receive the tax credits.
“We could look at a bond transaction, but the affordability lessens,” he said. “But that’s another possible finance mechanism we could look at.”
Collins said the groundbreaking would be as early as October and there would be a ribbon-cutting. Construction could be completed by December 2020 and the building would be ready for residents by January 2021.
Mayor Chuck Espy supports the project.
“We’ll do everything within our power to assist and to help troubleshoot any problems that they may have with the project,” he said. “We will definitely be their advocate as they move forward with the process in Jackson. These type of facilities are needed in our community and we’re proud of the opportunity to partner on this venture.”
Collins has plans for where everything would be.
“We just thought the building would lend itself well to a senior living facility, kind of taking the classrooms and turning those into living quarters,” said Collins, adding the old gym would also be turned into living units.
There would be one- and two-bedroom living units with full kitchens, lots of natural light from big windows, vinyl, tile and wood flooring, American Disabilities Act-accessible units for the handicapped, community space with a library, exercise room, yoga, business center and two large community rooms where residents and the public could have meetings or gatherings.
Sixty-five parking spaces would be added and the courtyard would be restored in the center of the building so residents would have a nice outdoor space.
“The other feature that we really liked about it was its proximity to downtown and shopping,” Collins said. “That bodes well for the residents so it’s all within a walking area so it will be eligible for people 55 and older to live in.”
