Convent conversion seeks city financing
The planned conversion of a historic south side Milwaukee convent into affordable apartments for both seniors and families with children would get city financing of $720,000 under a new proposal.
The development, known as Chapel Gardens, targets the south wing of the St. Joseph Center, historically known as St. Joseph Convent, 1501 S. Layton Blvd. It is owned by the School Sisters of St. Francis.
The redeveloped building would have 59 one- and two-bedroom apartments on four floors. Those units would be for older people.
Also, four three-bedroom apartments are to be createdfor families with children.
Development firm General Capital Group LLP is using federal affordable housing tax credits, as well as state and federal historic preservation tax credits, to help finance the $16.2 million project.
With those housing tax credits, 34 units would be provided at below-market rents to people earning no more than 60% of the area median income.
The remaining 29 units would be provided at below-market rents to people earning no more than 80% of the area median income, according to a Department of City Development report.
Other financing includes a loan from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, an allocation of WHEDA housing trust funds, deferred developer fees and other grants and loans, the report said.
The city funds of $720,000 would be provided by property tax revenue generated by Chapel Gardens.
A proposed tax incremental financing district to provide that cash is to be reviewed by the city Redevelopment Authority board at its Jan. 21 meeting. That district also needs Common Council approval.
The St. Joseph Center renovations would include a community gathering space, library, business center and fitness center for residents.
The apartments would maintain strong ties to the St. Joseph Center, including access to the historic St. Joseph Chapel and services offered by the School Sisters.
The order would continue to maintain its offices at St. Joseph Center. That complex is bordered by South Layton Boulevard, South 29th Street, West
Greenfield Avenue and West Lap ham Street.
Other buildings there have been converted into housing.
The $18 million Maria Linden Independent Senior and Assisted Living Apartments, 2735 W. Greenfield Ave., opened in 2013. It has 72 units for School Sisters members and lay people.
Also, a $9 million project that created 77 apartments for School Sisters members opened in 2015 at the neighboring former Sacred Heart Sanitarium, 1545 S. Layton Blvd.
St. Joseph Convent’s first section was built in 1890, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. It was built in several sections in the Romanesque Revival style.