Some major renovations are coming to the Professional Building in downtown Independence.

 

A Kansas City-based real estate company has secured funding to renovate the building at 201 North Penn or on the northwest side of the intersection of Penn and Myrtle. April Nutt with the Independence Housing Authority says the group has big plans for the historic building.

 

U.S. Federal Properties plans to convert the Professional Building into a 48-unit, multi-family apartment structure at a cost of around $9 million. The building was originally built in 1920 as the Commercial Bank of Independence. Executive Vice President of U.S. Federal Properties Mike Belew says the firm intends to return to the historic nature of the building by enclosing the lower level.

 

The building will offer 1 and 2 bedroom units as well as some studio apartments with rents expected to be between $800 and $1,200 a month. While the additional housing in Independence may be welcome, some wonder where those people will park downtown. Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer says it's an issue the City is working on.

 

At this time, Belew says U.S. Federal is planning on breaking ground in September with the opening slated for Fall of 2027.