By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
February 29, 2012

For more than a decade, Bancroft Elementary School has stood vacant, gathering dust and attracting crime.

“There is not a single person who walked up to this building in this neighborhood who was impressed. It is unimpressive,” Congressman Emanuel Cleaver said during a Feb. 20 press conference at the former school. “There are many elements that contributed to make it bad. But the good news today is we are now going to make it right.”

Soon, Bancroft Elementary, 4300 Tracy, will be transformed into an LEED Platinum housing complex and community center, thanks to partnerships between the city, state, Make it Right Foundation (MIR), Dalmark Development Group, LLC, Green Impact Zone, Mid-America Regional Council and other area organizations.

MIR, a non-profit housing development organization formed by actor Brad Pitt, approached Cleaver about the possibility of building LEED Platinum housing in Kansas City’s Green Impact Zone and Bancroft Elementary was the answer. MIR donated $2.3 million toward the $14 million project and other funding will come through federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, federal and state historic preservation tax credits and Affordable Housing Assistance Program tax credits.

Bancroft, which sits in the Manheim Park neighborhood, spans half a city block and is approximately 80,000 square feet. Twenty-nine housing units will be constructed inside the school and an additional 21 units will be built on site. Other amenities will include a community garden, greenhouse, playground, parking garage, medical services and a neighborhood association office. In addition, there will be a cultural event space for festivals, art and music, as well as a police office, entrepreneurial and job training services, and other services geared toward youth and seniors. Construction is slated to begin in early June.

“It’s a transformative project that will change Manheim, change Troost and change the city,” Tim Duggan of MIR said.

“I’m excited and encouraged,” said Manheim Park President Saundra Hayes. “I know if we can build a community campus it can change the whole urban core.”

Building the community center and housing will only strengthen the neighborhood, making it a safer and cleaner place, she said.

“This is just a start, but it’s a beautiful start,” Mayor Sly James said. “It’s a collaborative effort we can model throughout this city to bring back our neighborhoods and make this city its best.”