Make way for the new. That is what is happening on the grounds where the old Washington Elementary once stood. The school is gone now, soon to be replaced by a modern urban living facility.
Patrick Properties, of Scottsdale, Ariz., purchased the former school land located on the northeast corner of Eleventh Avenue and Second Street Southwest. TK Builders of Kalispell, Mont., was hired as the general contractor to develop the property.
"Basically what my client is proposing is a 32-unit condominium project consisting of five buildings," said Tom Klein, owner/manager of TK Builders. "Three of the buildings will have seven units, one six and one five. They'll range in size from 1,150 square feet up to 1,900. That's all liveable square feet, heated and air-conditioned space. Every unit has a two car garage."
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Construction of infrastructure is nearing completion at the Washington Square project. Vertical construction is expected to begin next spring. In the background is Henry Towers.
While TK Builders is still listed with a Kalispell address, Klein says he moved to the Minot area in the spring of 2010. The New Rockford native say his company remains involved in some projects in Montana, but that about 95 percent of his work is now being done in North Dakota.
"This is where the business is at," explained Klein. "There's nothing over in Montana. It's dead. Not good."
Klein is overseeing the completion of infrastructure at Washington Square. He said most of the underground work is done or will be completed before winter. Roads, curbs and sidewalks will be installed in the spring.
"My client wants to break ground in early 2013," said Klein. "Hopefully, we'll finish everything up by late fall or early winter 2013. I think it is going to be a great little community. I love it."
The two-bedroom and three-bedroom units all have two bathrooms. Most are on two levels but a few are three levels. Klein calls the architecture very modern, craftsman-style that makes excellent use of existing space. The condominium units will feature decks and balconies. The rock retaining wall that surrounds a portion of the property will remain in place.
"Basically it is urban living, somewhat like your downtown, but low maintenance living. The association takes care of landscaping and snow removal," said Klein.
The units are being constructed for sale, not intended for rent. Purchase prices for the units have not yet been fully determined, but it is anticipated that some will be available in the $275,000 range.
"I call it an infill project," said Klein. "It maximizes your density on the land."
TK Builders has several other projects in various phases of completion in Minot. According to Klein his company, which specializes in all residential and commercial building, is just wrapping up six new townhouses at Elk Ridge, working on two single-family homes, has purchased five duplex units near Oak Park for complete renovation and will be approaching the city for approval to build five new townhouses in the same area.
"We'll need to build a road there behind the existing duplexes," said Klein. "Everything will be new. We'll call it Oak Park Place. There will be a nice iron fence around the entire property."