By Judy Williams

Rumors are swirling around the community as to the fate of the old Katz Elementary School in Munith, so this reporter went to the horse’s mouth, so to speak. In January 2016, Doug and Cindy Lance purchased the building and property. Since then, Cindy Lance and the couple’s eldest daughter, Cassie Watson, have been working to repurpose the building. When asked why she and her husband had bought the property, Cindy Lance’s eyes took on a faraway look.

“This building has a special meaning to me,” the Stockbridge Community School Board member explained. “I attended school here, and every time I go through that building, I picture Aunt Barb in the kitchen and my mom in the office.” For years, Barb Smith served as elementary school cook, and Jan Kitley, as school secretary. “It seems like just yesterday, and yet it was 40-plus years ago,” Lance mused and then added. “It’s a great location for assisted or independent living apartments, and there is a need in our community.”

Now two years into the project, Lance admitted that progress has gone slower than hoped but is inching forward. “We have created a 501c3, non-profit organization, Katz Communities, Inc.,” she said, “which will be an affordable assisted/independent living facility serving up to 30 residents for the surrounding communities.”

At this point, Watson piped in, describing with enthusiasm the systematic process she and her mother had undertaken in an effort to ensure their project’s success. “Our first step was to have a Market Study,” she said. “This was conducted by Plante Moran. This proved that we do have a need for assisted and independent apartments in our community.”

The next step was to put together a business plan, Watson said. “My Mom, an accountant, worked on the financial issues, while I worked on the resident care part.” Watson holds a bachelor of science degree in human biology and a master’s degree in public health. She plans to start nursing school in the fall of 2018. “Resident care is my interest,” she said.

Step three was to conduct a design study, Watson continued, so the family contracted Prominent Design & Build, Inc. PD&B’s engineers determined the building’s structure was sound and could be fully repurposed, with the addition of a new kitchen. “We’ll use repurposed brick in an effort to blend with the existing structure,” Watson said, adding that the engineering firm will do the construction work. “We have created our by-laws, and now it’s time to create our five-member board. The last piece of the puzzle is financing,” she said.

To make this dream a reality, Lance has been sending out funding requests to foundations and private investors. “After the board is established, we will also be able to accept private donations. It is our hope to have funding in place by June, so that we can start on the construction portion of the project.” If all goes as planned, she said, “We have a projected opening date of spring 2019.” Lance expects to hire 11 employees prior to opening. “Nine staff members will be needed for the direct care of our residents.”

She said maximum occupancy will be 30 residents with two categories of living: independent and lower-level care. Five independent living apartments, she said, will consist of two studio apartments of 430 square feet, a one-bedroom apartment of 662 square feet, and two one-bedroom apartments of 710 square feet. All will offer the option of coming furnished or unfurnished, and all will have their own kitchens, plus one meal a day and weekly housekeeping. “There will be a laundry room for residents’ convenience,” Watson added.

Regarding the lower-level care category, Watson explained that the planned facility will feature ten rooms of 380 square feet, two of 500 square feet, and one of 660 square feet to accommodate two residents. “These rooms, too, will be available furnished or unfurnished,” she said, adding that lower-level care residents will benefit from 24/7 staff monitoring, laundry service, housekeeping, meals, assistance with medicines, exercise equipment, exercise classes, and transportation to and from appointments.

Lance sighed and said, “We have come a long way in our planning since we purchased Katz Elementary, but we have a long way to go before our dream becomes a reality. This whole project has been a leap of faith.”

Daughter Cassie smiled and nodded in agreement.