The Independence City Commission approves a measure to repurpose an old building and bring new housing units to the city.
At last night's meeting, commissioners approved a measure that would transfer ownership of the old Mercy Hospital bulding at 811 West Laurel to a redevelopment company to covnert the strucutre into residential and commercial units. City Manager Kelly Passauer says the agreement was made with the DeSoto, Kansas-based company the Rural Redevelopment Group.
Commissioner Dean Hayse says he has long hoped to see the building put to good use.
After Mercy Hospital closed its doors in 2015, the building served as the location for offices for the City of Independence. The building has been unused for the past two years since the City moved back to the renovated City Hall location on north 6th Street.
