Update of hallway into kitchen area May 2019

The second story apartment project at the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency building, on the north side of the downtown square in Jefferson, is nearing completion.

The upper-story project was started in the 2017-18 school year when the Greene County High School construction class got the opportunity to demolish the existing space and renovate it into an apartment. Since then, the students have done most of the work including reframing the interior, hanging drywall, installing skylights, kitchen cabinets and did some work with subcontractors on electrical and plumbing. Instructor Kirk Davis says most of the work that is left will be done by subcontractors such as installing trim, doors and flooring in the two bedroom apartment. There is also a kitchen with an L-shaped island, along with a dining/living room, and a bathroom.

The north part of the second story will eventually be renovated into a shared work space. That project received a $35,000 Challenge Grant in partnership with Jefferson Matters: Main Street through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The project is anticipated to start by the end of the year. The high school construction class will not be involved, as they are working on plans to build a house for the 2019-2020 school year.