Clinton County Housing Coalition scales back proposed Dickey School housing plan

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Clinton County Housing Coalition is going back to City Hall as it seeks to acquire the old Dickey Elementary School on S. Fairview Street in Lock Haven and convert it to housing units. Housing Coalition vice-president Jeff Rich told therecord-online on Friday that the agency is now proposing 11 units of housing with 25 parking spaces.

Rich said neighbors who turned out at a September zoning hearing board hearing on the plans were most concerned about the impact of parking in the area. The coalition at the time proposed 19 housing units. Because of concerns about additional vehicles in the area, the coalition is now looking at the 11 units, what he described as one-to-two-bedroom efficiency apartments. All would be located on the building’s upper floor fronting on S. Fairview Street. That level would also house “community” and office space. The first floor, fronting on S. Jones Street, would initially be vacant, he said.

Next step in the process, Rich said, the coalition will be going to city council in November, seeking a reduction in the number of parking stalls required, from three to two, for such housing units. If and when that ordinance is changed, he said, the housing group will seek zoning board approval so the building can be used for the 11 units in an area presently zoned as a low-density district.

The coalition has entered into an agreement with building owners Dickey Realty, LLC to have the building donated to the coalition. The cost to convert the building to housing use, according to information at the September hearing, is estimated at $3.5 million, that amount to be covered by federal grants.

The school was built in 1966, replacing the former Lincoln School which was torn down. The new name for the building is proposed to be Lincoln Apartments.