Beatrice unveils plan to demolish old schools, replace them with housing
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The City of Beatrice is going to demolish two old elementary schools, and on Monday night, officials laid plans for new construction.
“The schools themselves have outlived their usefulness,” City Councilman Ted Fairbanks said.
Paddock Lane and Lincoln Elementary Schools sit empty, and they will never hold another class again.
So the city bought the buildings and the land to create new housing and another park.
The master plan was shown to the public at an open house, where input was welcomed.
Fairbanks said the most important piece is the housing.
“Currently in Beatrice, we’ve only got 20 homes for sale, and they don’t stay on the market for long,” he said. “So these are going to be new homes, affordable.”
Ellen Mohling, a community member who attended the open house, said the plans didn’t quite meet her expectations.
“I just thought maybe it would be more moderate-income houses,” she said. “These look more expensive than what I thought it would entail.”
Others worry about parking in the neighborhood, since the plans include several cul-de-sacs.
But Fairbanks said that’s why the city hosts these open houses — to give an opportunity for collaboration.
“Change is difficult, and this is change,” he said. “And everybody is curious. They’ve looked at the drawings, and none of this is set in stone.”
He said these plans are important to keep the city growing.
Fairbanks was told each of the sites would cost the city more than $1 million for the streets, sidewalks and electricity.
Mohling is happy the city is being proactive and coming up with a plan instead of letting the buildings sit empty.
“I know it’s going to increase my taxes because I don’t live very far away and my taxes have been going up,” she said. “But if we don’t have a progressive community, we’re not going to bring people into our community, so I’m glad it’s getting done.”
Fairbanks said the first pour of concrete could happen as soon as next year.
