Au Associates

Oliver School being remade into homes

Winchester has such a rich history, and it’s one of those towns that preserves the past in such a way that its heritage is included in progressive future development.

A perfect example of this is the Oliver School Apartments.

It was fortunate for me that my boss had a scheduling conflict Wednesday afternoon because it meant I got to visit the former African-American school on Oliver Street in his stead. And I was astounded by what I saw.

The old school is being transformed by AU Associates Inc. into some of the finest apartments I’ve seen anywhere in this town.

In a venture involving the owners, Christ Temple Church, the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Housing Corporation, local banks and other partners, the classroom space has been converted into 11 apartments that will provide affordable housing for low-income residents.

One of the lofts I saw was absolutely luxurious. Covering 1,650 square feet, the three-bedroom residence, like the other apartments, has 12-foot-high ceilings and huge insulated windows that brilliantly illuminate the living space. Even the smallest apartment, a one-bedroom studio, has plenty of space and its own washer-and-dryer room. And these apartments will rent for only about $400 to $600 a month.

And, in addition to the apartments, the school’s gym will be remade into a community center that can be used to host receptions, dances and neighborhood meetings.

Not only is this project preserving one of the treasures of Winchester’s African-American legacy that had been neglected for 40 years, but it is doing so in a way that will help to revitalize a part of our town that has been in decline.