Synopsis:

The City of Waltham, Massachusetts, is taking advantage of the current real estate market by converting two unused school buildings in their system into senior housing – at a fraction of the cost. The old Hardy School, which was donated to the city by Bentley University, is currently undergoing renovations. It will soon include 19 apartments and a community room. Originally estimated at a $1-million price tag, the project total has come to $640,000. The city is now accepting bids to also adapt the Banks School on Main Street into about 30 units of housing for those 62 and older. A number of units in both buildings will be available for “Section 8″ housing, though the final total has not been determined. This is great news as the city is turning its unused assets into profit-generating buildings while also providing more affordable housing for the elderly.