Former West Allis school to be converted into affordable apartments

A former West Allis school to be converted to affordable apartments, and a controversial Shorewood housing project, would get federal grants through a plan pending before Milwaukee County officials.

The $5 million in funds are to help finance four developments that would construct or renovate 132 affordable apartments, including two Milwaukee projects...

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Leo's notes: The conversion of the former Longfellow Elementary School in West Allis would transform an existing public asset into 55 apartments—22 within the historic school and 33 in a new addition. Projects such as this one are a prime example of why communities should inventory obsolete schools, institutional buildings and other public properties alongside vacant land. Reusing existing sites can preserve neighborhood character and infrastructure while creating housing in established communities.