The Great Bend Housing Authority is inviting the public to a Preview Party, hosted on the twelfth floor of the High Rise downtown, 1101 Kansas Ave. The event will start at 11 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. be on Friday, Jan. 28th. Guests can see the stunning views of Great Bend from the 12 floor gathering space as well as tour the newly renovated units. In addition, refreshments and giveaways will be provided by the GBHA, so guests are encouraged to stop by for their chance to win. 

The High Rise has been a part of downtown Great Bend since 1971. Last year, the Great Bend Housing Authority broke ground to begin renovating the building. Hutton, a Kansas based construction company, is in charge of the $16 million renovation. They are projected to complete the project in the later months of 2022. 

Besides the massive facelift happening in all 12 floors of the building, including the lobby, offices, and common spaces, the High Rise will also be undergoing an operational change as well. While GBHA has always served low-income individuals, the High Rise Apartments are now going to focus more on the 55+ population.

“We are prioritizing individuals 55 years of age or older, but up to 20% of our units can be rented to individuals under that threshold,” says Lynn Fleming, Executive Director of GBHA. 

The High Rise Apartments are non-smoking, pet friendly, and within walking distance from numerous restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment venues. In addition to operating the High Rise Apartments, Great Bend Housing Authority also operates a Section 8 voucher program for people that want to live elsewhere in the City of Great Bend. For anyone wanting to learn more about the High Rise Apartments, the Section 8 voucher program, or the qualifications for each program, more information can be found on the organization’s website at www.gbhaks.com.