I’m Considering a School House

[Neil039]

Not sure about a loan, but it would probably be a cash deal if we do it...

 

[Loyal]

Doc Hollywood: "Do You accept plastic?"
Mechanic: "Only if wrapped around a stack of cash...."

 

[Loyal]

My wife has this idea to add another story with a peaked roof to the flat part of the building because flat rooves don't do well with snow and weather and end up leaking.
1. That will cost a boatload of cash to do.
2. I don't think it will look right with the type of building that it is....
3. I have searched the local newspaper for stories having to do with a roof disaster at the school and have found nothing, and there would be if it happened. There have been some serious snow storms/tornados/rain storms in this are sine 1947 and nothing.

What do you guys think?

 

[RhodyRams]

I think you should tear the roof off and build a retractable dome

 

[Loyal]

I'm seeing the perfect spot for an Annual ROD Weekend gathering.

Edit- is property eligible for conventional residential mortgage? If it would require a commercial loan, could be a deal breaker

BTW...waiting for a call from the contractors who put up the Oculus at SoFi....;

 

[Loyal]

I think you should tear the roof off and build a retractable dome

BRILLIANT!

 

[RhodyRams]

Pictures of the property inside and out are still online. My wife and I are discussing offering like $190kfor it and see if they bite. Look at the gym, it’s freakin awesome!

1025 Road K, Emporia, KS 66801 | Trulia

1025 Road K, Emporia, KS 66801 is a 6,604 sqft, 3 bed, 4 bath home sold in 2022. See the estimate, review home details, and search for homes nearby.

www.trulia.com

Jeez ...looking aft those houses in the area almost make me want to put ours on the market and move to Kansas


Houses here are going about $1000 per sq ft

 

[Loyal]

Jeez ...looking aft those houses in the area almost make me want to put ours on the market and move to Kansas


Houses here are going about $1000 per sq ft

Put your house on the market! I can get you an interview at the Tyson processing plant!

 

[RhodyRams]

Put your house on the market! I can get you an interview at the Tyson processing plant!

Need my ocean view

Not going to get that in Kansas

 

[JonRam99]

Hi Loyal. My day job is architect-ing, and I've done quite a few projects with older school buildings, so I can share with you a few concerns:
(LONG STORY SHORT: ASBESTOS -- LEAD PAINT -- MONEY PIT -- RUN AWAY unless you're independently wealthy)

- the 9" x 9" tile in the living / "billiard" area is asbestos tile. you cannot remove it without breaking it up, which releases friable fibers in the air -- guaranteed mesothelioma unless you use proper PPE & equipment to "abate" it. you can cover it with commercial glue-down carpet to temporarily encapsulate it, but when it's time to replace the carpet, you'll have to abate it.
- I think I see 9" x 9" pattern on the gym floor too. Not sure what the green kitchen tile is, it looks 12" x 12"? that would be vinyl tile. But any 9" x 9" floor tile will be asbestos.
- Most older buildings from that era also used asbestos to insulate hot / cold water pipes and ducts, and used lead paint. They also mixed asbestos into lath & plaster ceilings, which may be above the 2'x4' dropped ceiling. Any 9" x 9" acoustical ceiling tiles direct attached to the roof deck above the dropped ceiling (commonly done in older school & church buildings to control noise) may be asbestos, and even the glue they used to adhere them may contain asbestos.
- If you're serious about getting this building, I'd ask for a full hazardous materials inspection & testing, and request all hazardous materials are abated first. Many school districts sell their older buildings because they just cannot afford the abatement costs.
- I think I saw 1 duct in the hallway. There's some small wall-mounted unit heaters (the grilles that are close to the floor), and the wood stove in the man cave. The gym has a large grille above the door to the right, but no idea what's behind it. Some old school gyms will put a big, noisy air moving unit above the stage area, with maybe some heat, but I didn't see any condenser units except the small one on the roof - that might serve an A/C unit in the living area in that closet to the right.
- The roof is some kind of bitumen roll roofing, with maybe an aftermarket rubberized spray over it? it may need replacing in about 5 years, I'd go with TPO. (edit: it also looks "flat", which 60's flat roofs often are, there's literally no slope to the roof - it's supposed to just dribble over to the gutter. The ponding stains give it away.)
- the gym roof was insulated from the bottom side with what looks like "open cell" foam. It's gives you good insulation, but it's flammable, so it's usually not allowed to be left exposed in any residential applications. A "15 minute thermal barrier" is required to cover it, usually just 1 layer of 1/2" standard gyp board. Sometimes they mix a special flame retardant in the foam, but you'd have to ask them for this specifically - I wouldn't accept anything less than a physical label from the foam product container as many times the foam applicator companies lie to homeowners & tell them their product is flame retardant when it's not. You can also spray paint it with intumescent paint, or just take your chances.
- sometimes, in the 60's "brick and block" buildings, they would put 1/2" fiberboard between the brick & block, but that's it in terms of wall insulation. it's possible the dropped ceiling has batt insulation laying on top of it, but I'd check or ask. I'd also ask for monthly / yearly utility costs.
- I think the shop is in a basement? older buildings' basements usually leak.
- I'd also ask about the tap water & sewer situation. If it's well water, you should ask for a test too. The sewer lines in the basement look to be cast iron, which lasts forever, but the "house main" line that goes to the sewer / septic is often times clay tile (no PVC back then).

If you guys are serious about it, it can surely be updated & remodeled - adding a 'package' HVAC unit for the gym, gyp ceilings, asbestos tile removal & haz mat abatement, new carpet, window replacement, wall furring w/ insulation, etc. - but you gotta have a lotta dough to get it up to proper standards & protect the resale value. Maybe some exterior remodeling? There's a lot of potential there, but it's gonna take a lot of work & $$.

 

[Loyal]

Need my ocean view

View attachment 44524


Not going to get that in Kansas

How about an ocean of blue stem grass and the best sunsets on Earth?

 

[Loyal]

Hi Loyal. My day job is architect-ing, and I've done quite a few projects with older school buildings, so I can share with you a few concerns:
(LONG STORY SHORT: ASBESTOS -- LEAD PAINT -- MONEY PIT -- RUN AWAY unless you're independently wealthy)

- the 9" x 9" tile in the living / "billiard" area is asbestos tile. you cannot remove it without breaking it up, which releases friable fibers in the air -- guaranteed mesothelioma unless you use proper PPE & equipment to "abate" it. you can cover it with commercial glue-down carpet to temporarily encapsulate it, but when it's time to replace the carpet, you'll have to abate it.
- I think I see 9" x 9" pattern on the gym floor too. Not sure what the green kitchen tile is, it looks 12" x 12"? that would be vinyl tile. But any 9" x 9" floor tile will be asbestos.
- Most older buildings from that era also used asbestos to insulate hot / cold water pipes and ducts, and used lead paint. They also mixed asbestos into lath & plaster ceilings, which may be above the 2'x4' dropped ceiling. Any 9" x 9" acoustical ceiling tiles direct attached to the roof deck above the dropped ceiling (commonly done in older school & church buildings to control noise) may be asbestos, and even the glue they used to adhere them may contain asbestos.
- If you're serious about getting this building, I'd ask for a full hazardous materials inspection & testing, and request all hazardous materials are abated first. Many school districts sell their older buildings because they just cannot afford the abatement costs.
- I think I saw 1 duct in the hallway. There's some small wall-mounted unit heaters (the grilles that are close to the floor), and the wood stove in the man cave. The gym has a large grille above the door to the right, but no idea what's behind it. Some old school gyms will put a big, noisy air moving unit above the stage area, with maybe some heat, but I didn't see any condenser units except the small one on the roof - that might serve an A/C unit in the living area in that closet to the right.
- The roof is some kind of bitumen roll roofing, with maybe an aftermarket rubberized spray over it? it may need replacing in about 5 years, I'd go with TPO.
- the gym roof was insulated from the bottom side with what looks like "open cell" foam. It's gives you good insulation, but it's flammable, so it's usually not allowed to be left exposed in any residential applications. A "15 minute thermal barrier" is required to cover it, usually just 1 layer of 1/2" standard gyp board. Sometimes they mix a special flame retardant in the foam, but you'd have to ask them for this specifically - I wouldn't accept anything less than a physical label from the foam product container as many times the foam applicator companies lie to homeowners & tell them their product is flame retardant when it's not. You can also spray paint it with intumescent paint, or just take your chances.
- sometimes, in the 60's "brick and block" buildings, they would put 1/2" fiberboard between the brick & block, but that's it in terms of wall insulation. it's possible the dropped ceiling has batt insulation laying on top of it, but I'd check or ask. I'd also ask for monthly / yearly utility costs.
- I think the shop is in a basement? older buildings' basements usually leak.
- I'd also ask about the tap water & sewer situation. If it's well water, you should ask for a test too. The sewer lines in the basement look to be cast iron, which lasts forever, but the "house main" line that goes to the sewer / septic is often times clay tile (no PVC back then).

If you guys are serious about it, it can surely be updated & remodeled - adding a 'package' HVAC unit for the gym, gyp ceilings, asbestos tile removal & haz mat abatement, new carpet, window replacement, wall furring w/ insulation, etc. - but you gotta have a lotta dough to get it up to proper standards & protect the resale value. Maybe some exterior remodeling? There's a lot of potential there, but it's gonna take a lot of work & $$.

Thank you.

The place is connected to city water and had a septic system, according to original newspaper accounts of the "new" building. The abestos part is concerning, but I know the school was closed because it was one of the last rural schools in existence in our county and they wanted to consolidate everyone into a single elementary and High School building in our small town due to shrinking budgets. They resisted closing it for more than a decade because it was so nice of a structure and the parents were pissed that they expanded the structure through tax dollars and then started talking about closing it 6 years after the gym and extra rooms/rest rooms were added. We were planning on an inspection before any purchase happened, but didn't consider a hazardous materials inspection which we will do now, thanks to your info.

 

[Loyal]

Hi Loyal. My day job is architect-ing, and I've done quite a few projects with older school buildings, so I can share with you a few concerns:
(LONG STORY SHORT: ASBESTOS -- LEAD PAINT -- MONEY PIT -- RUN AWAY unless you're independently wealthy)

- the 9" x 9" tile in the living / "billiard" area is asbestos tile. you cannot remove it without breaking it up, which releases friable fibers in the air -- guaranteed mesothelioma unless you use proper PPE & equipment to "abate" it. you can cover it with commercial glue-down carpet to temporarily encapsulate it, but when it's time to replace the carpet, you'll have to abate it.
- I think I see 9" x 9" pattern on the gym floor too. Not sure what the green kitchen tile is, it looks 12" x 12"? that would be vinyl tile. But any 9" x 9" floor tile will be asbestos.
- Most older buildings from that era also used asbestos to insulate hot / cold water pipes and ducts, and used lead paint. They also mixed asbestos into lath & plaster ceilings, which may be above the 2'x4' dropped ceiling. Any 9" x 9" acoustical ceiling tiles direct attached to the roof deck above the dropped ceiling (commonly done in older school & church buildings to control noise) may be asbestos, and even the glue they used to adhere them may contain asbestos.
- If you're serious about getting this building, I'd ask for a full hazardous materials inspection & testing, and request all hazardous materials are abated first. Many school districts sell their older buildings because they just cannot afford the abatement costs.
- I think I saw 1 duct in the hallway. There's some small wall-mounted unit heaters (the grilles that are close to the floor), and the wood stove in the man cave. The gym has a large grille above the door to the right, but no idea what's behind it. Some old school gyms will put a big, noisy air moving unit above the stage area, with maybe some heat, but I didn't see any condenser units except the small one on the roof - that might serve an A/C unit in the living area in that closet to the right.
- The roof is some kind of bitumen roll roofing, with maybe an aftermarket rubberized spray over it? it may need replacing in about 5 years, I'd go with TPO. (edit: it also looks "flat", which 60's flat roofs often are, there's literally no slope to the roof - it's supposed to just dribble over to the gutter. The ponding stains give it away.)
- the gym roof was insulated from the bottom side with what looks like "open cell" foam. It's gives you good insulation, but it's flammable, so it's usually not allowed to be left exposed in any residential applications. A "15 minute thermal barrier" is required to cover it, usually just 1 layer of 1/2" standard gyp board. Sometimes they mix a special flame retardant in the foam, but you'd have to ask them for this specifically - I wouldn't accept anything less than a physical label from the foam product container as many times the foam applicator companies lie to homeowners & tell them their product is flame retardant when it's not. You can also spray paint it with intumescent paint, or just take your chances.
- sometimes, in the 60's "brick and block" buildings, they would put 1/2" fiberboard between the brick & block, but that's it in terms of wall insulation. it's possible the dropped ceiling has batt insulation laying on top of it, but I'd check or ask. I'd also ask for monthly / yearly utility costs.
- I think the shop is in a basement? older buildings' basements usually leak.
- I'd also ask about the tap water & sewer situation. If it's well water, you should ask for a test too. The sewer lines in the basement look to be cast iron, which lasts forever, but the "house main" line that goes to the sewer / septic is often times clay tile (no PVC back then).

If you guys are serious about it, it can surely be updated & remodeled - adding a 'package' HVAC unit for the gym, gyp ceilings, asbestos tile removal & haz mat abatement, new carpet, window replacement, wall furring w/ insulation, etc. - but you gotta have a lotta dough to get it up to proper standards & protect the resale value. Maybe some exterior remodeling? There's a lot of potential there, but it's gonna take a lot of work & $$.

Worst case scenario, how much do you think it would cost to remove all asbestos tile/unsulation and lead paint?

 

[JonRam99]

Thank you.

The place is connected to city water and had a septic system, according to original newspaper accounts of the "new" building. The asbestos part is concerning, but I know the school was closed because it was one of the last rural schools in existence in our county and they wanted to consolidate everyone into a single elementary and High School building in our small town due to shrinking budgets. They resisted closing it for more than a decade because it was so nice of a structure and the parents were pissed that they expanded the structure through tax dollars and then started talking about closing it 6 years after the gym and extra rooms/rest rooms were added. We were planning on an inspection before any purchase happened, but didn't consider a hazardous materials inspection which we will do now, thanks to your info.

Glad to help lol I sure got on a roll.

@RhodyRams ya there's lots of real estate out here that goes for a fraction of what you pay out there. Really nice homes, nice neighborhoods, plenty enough to do & see, and with the dooough you get after you sell that overpriced piece of CA real estate you have, you could literally afford a mansion out here. Or acres of land. Or both. And then you can fly to the beach whenever you get the itch.

 

[JonRam99]

@Loyal no idea, depends on the test results, but a recent college I worked with had to abate some lath & plaster ceilings & insulated pipes, which cost $40,000. They also abated ceilings in a dorm, which cost $100,000 for all 3 floors.
Looks like the homeowner just left the flooring in place & kept it nice. As long as you never cut it or remove it, it's fine. But any lead paint will have to go. They probably already did it, most school districts will at least do this before they sell, but that floor tile is def "hot".

 

[Loyal]

@Loyal no idea, depends on the test results, but a recent college I worked with had to abate some lath & plaster ceilings & insulated pipes, which cost $40,000. They also abated ceilings in a dorm, which cost $100,000 for all 3 floors.
Looks like the homeowner just left the flooring in place & kept it nice. As long as you never cut it or remove it, it's fine. But any lead paint will have to go. They probably already did it, most school districts will at least do this before they sell, but that floor tile is def "hot".

If it was remediated with a perfect bill of health from the Hazardous materials check up inspection, would that increase the value of the structure significantly?

 

[Selassie I]

How about an ocean of blue stem grass and the best sunsets on Earth?

View attachment 44525

Hold up on the best sunsets on earth Brudda.

Please note... I took these from inside the screen porch, so there's a screen impeding the beauty of these.

1st one looking to the left and the Atlantic ocean...

2nd one looking to the right over the Gulf of Mexico...

Duck Key, FL for the win!



Now... get back to the asbestos concerns. That's serious man.

 

[Loyal]

Hold up on the best sunsets on earth Brudda.

Please note... I took these from inside the screen porch, so there's a screen impeding the beauty of these.

1st one looking to the left and the Atlantic ocean...

View attachment 44527


2nd one looking to the right over the Gulf of Mexico...

View attachment 44528

Duck Key, FL for the win!



Now... get back to the asbestos concerns. That's serious man.

I mean, that's ok and all.....Not Kansas sunset great, but pretty good..... *flexes guns in triumph

 

[RhodyRams]

Glad to help lol I sure got on a roll.

@RhodyRams ya there's lots of real estate out here that goes for a fraction of what you pay out there. Really nice homes, nice neighborhoods, plenty enough to do & see, and with the dooough you get after you sell that overpriced piece of CA real estate you have, you could literally afford a mansion out here. Or acres of land. Or both. And then you can fly to the beach whenever you get the itch.

yeah, thanks for the info, but as the screen name states, I'm in Rhode Island, not Cali...lower taxes, better air quality and no 49er fans..hell arent even any Patriot fans anymore

 

[RhodyRams]

and I'm with @Selassie I ... you havent lived until you see a sunset from the Florida Keys