A historic former Des Moines school could transform into a hybrid live-work space, just as the city seeks to protect it from potential demolition, local preservation advocate Philip Gustafson tells Axios.
Why it matters: The 140-year-old Ulysses S. Grant School has irreplaceable craftsmanship and materials not commonly found in modern construction.
- Saving it with a creative reuse could spark reinvestment and neighborhood revitalization, Gustafson says.
Catch up quick: The school , adjacent to Drake Park, operated until the mid-1970s then sold to New Life Center, which used it as a church and gathering space for decades.
- Its heating system broke about a decade ago, leaving it mainly used for storage.
Driving the news: Last week, the Des Moines City Council voted to designate the building a local landmark, adding a layer of historic protections…..