A $12 million project to restore and remodel the former Oakfield High School, which has been used as low-income housing since the 1970s, is underway.
The project is mostly privately funded and has also received $1.1 million in state and federal aid.
School House Mannor currently has 27 apartment units for people age 62 and older or disabled, regardless of age. All units are one bedroom.
"It is a historical renovation, and after the renovation is done, the former Oakfield High School will be on the national register of historic places," said Emmett Ogiony, principal with ODS Property Management.
In addition to the facade restoration, a lower-level former gym will be converted into apartments and the former library in the back of the building, which was once the residential unit of the complex's former owner and operator, will become apartments.
In all, the developer, which is now the owner of the building, will add eight new apartments.
The USDA funded the school's conversion to affordable housing in the 1970s.
"It's the biggest property in Oakfield, and I think the funding is important just to maintain the structure and what it does for the community," Ogiony said. "It is the only source of affordable housing in the Oakfield-Alabama area so it is a big help to rural people who want to stay close to where they grew up. Without this project, Oakfield would lose an important part of its community."
Photos by Howard Owens.
