Two former Simonsen 9th Grade Center students have a dream of turning their former school into modern style apartments, and the Jefferson City School District Board of Education will vote Monday on the couple's proposal.
Allyn and Todd Witt bid $101,914 to buy Simonsen and turn it into a residential development, according to their proposal to JC Schools.
They're also bidding an alternate amount of a dollar more to include the Keith Major Field in the purchase and donate it back to the city to use as a "public green space such as a dog park, farmers market or other public need," according to the bid form.
As Jefferson City School District graduates, Simonsen was an integral part of their high school experience, Allyn and Todd Witt wrote in the proposal.
"We are passionate about adapting Simonsen into a beautiful residential development that carefully treasures its historic features and gives a nod to its impact as an educational institution," they wrote.
Their plan is to transform the building into about 65 units of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The gymnasium would be turned into two-story loft style apartments, and there's room for amenities such as a gym and business center, the proposal states.
"Imagine tall exposed ceilings, industrial touches, modern finishes, and spectacular views," the proposal states. "Our hope is to incorporate all the classroom character we can, making each unit unique."
They came up with the idea when they learned district freshmen would no longer be housed at the building after Capital City High School was complete, the proposal states.
"After the devastating destruction of last year's tornado, we were moved to take action," they wrote. "Development into modern style apartments not only fills a void in Jefferson City housing, but would also keep Simonsen thriving and appreciated."
Their team, which has been working together for a year while planning this project, also includes partner Jeff Tegethoff and architectural company Trivers. Allyn and Todd Witt have developed rental properties for the past five years, and Allyn is a licensed real estate agent, according to the proposal.
Tegethoff has developed more than $500 million in real estate since 2015 and has been in charge of residential and multi-use projects in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Kansas City and St. Louis, the proposal states.
Trivers, based in St. Louis, was founded in 1975 and has extensive experience in historical renovations, according to the proposal. One of Trivers' recent projects is the preservation of the Capitol building.
The board meeting is 6 p.m. Monday at 315 E. Dunklin St. and is open to the public.