The Great Bend Housing Authority recently completed a $16 million renovation of the High Rise Apartments, a 12-story apartment building at 12th and Kansas in downtown Great Bend. 

Hutton Construction of Wichita started in April of 2021 and brought the 50-year-old building up-to-date mechanically and aesthetically. The renovation included all areas of the building from the apartments and hallways to the shared spaces, elevators and office spaces. 

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will partner with the Great Bend Housing Authority to host a Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting at 9 a.m. on Thursday. GBHA will provide donuts and coffee for attendees, as well as a number of door prizes. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to win gift cards to local businesses. After the event, attendees are welcome to tour the newly renovated building. 

“The building originally included several studio apartments that were small and more difficult to rent, so we combined several studio apartments into one-bedroom apartments during renovations,” said Lynn Fleming, executive director for GBHA. “All of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems behind the walls were replaced including the duct work, and then all the finishes were upgraded as well as the cabinets, flooring, appliances, light fixtures, doors, trim, etc.”

Along with the renovation, the High Rise is now designated a senior low-income property, meaning that most of the tenants need to be low-income, 55-plus seniors to qualify. “We are excited to have our renovations completed so we can welcome new tenants,” said Fleming. “We are filling up quickly and it’s a great feeling to have so many call the High Rise home.” 

Anyone looking for more information or wanting to apply can visit the Great Bend Housing Authority website at www.gbhaks.com.