Senior lofts in former elementary school coming to East Vandergrift

A new loft-style residential complex for senior citizens is coming to East Vandergrift.

Morning Sun Senior Lofts is billed as an affordable 42-unit housing development for people 62 and older.

The $13 million revitalization project involves developing the former East Vandergrift Elementary School on McKinley Avenue.

The building, currently abandoned and condemned, is owned by the Westmoreland County Land Bank.

Borough officials began collaborating with MVAH Partners of Ohio, The Land Bank, Homes Build Hope Inc. and William Kerr Consulting more than a year ago.

Residents were asked by borough officials to sign a petition in support of the project in 2020.

“We had good feedback on this,” said borough secretary Kristen Sarno.

The support petition will be submitted along with the project application to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in Harrisburg.

Trey Barbour, vice president of development for MVAH, said the project is awaiting the award of tax credits in August.

Once the credits are secured, Barbour said final design plans will be implemented, and a closing could occur in spring 2022. MVAH specializes in the development of affordable housing.

William Kerr served as principal for two years at the school until it closed in 1989.

“I think this project is a shining example of repurposing the use of a landmark building in the center of East Vandergrift,” Kerr said.

Kerr offered his consulting services at no charge because of his passion for rehabilitating former school buildings and making good use for the communities.

Kerr was superintendent at the Apollo-Ridge and Norwin school districts.

Borough Councilwoman Karen Virostek said the project will fill a need in the small borough that has a population of fewer than 600.

“There’s no affordable housing for seniors here,” she said. “People are supportive of this because it’s using a huge historic building and, hopefully, turning it into something positive and beneficial for the area.”

The building will be restored and modified for senior living.

Planned amenities include a community room with kitchenette and serving bar, fitness center, clothes care center, trash facilities, a mail room, outside sitting areas and restrooms.

The site will feature energy efficient one- and two-bedroom units.

Morning Sun Senior Lofts will serve residents with incomes ranging from 20% to 60% of the area average income.

According to data provided by the U.S. Census, the average household income in the Vandergrift area is $42,261.

Currently, all age-restricted developments in Westmoreland County are at full occupancy and have waiting lists.

Kerr described East Vandergrift as one of the “best kept” secrets in the Alle-Kiski Valley area and referenced the borough’s three main ethnicities: Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian.

The former school was constructed during the 1930s and served kindergarten through sixth grade.

“Redeveloping this historic building will be a win for East Vandergrift but, more importantly, it will provide much needed high-quality, safe and affordable housing for Westmoreland seniors,” Barbour said.

Barbour said construction is anticipated to take 12 to 14 months, and leasing is scheduled to occur in late spring 2023.

Virostek said council is in full support of the project.

“We’re trying to rejuvenate our community,” she said.