Clinton County Housing Coalition seeks ok to convert Dickey School to housing units

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Clinton County Housing Coalition wants to acquire the old Dickey Elementary School on S. Fairview Street in Lock Haven and convert it to housing units. The plan was detailed at a Sept. 22 Lock Haven Zoning Hearing Board hearing, at which time the hearing board rejected a zoning variance request which was needed for the project to proceed.

At the hearing the Coalition said it wants to convert the two-level building into 19 “affordable housing units” and some possible commercial use. At the conclusion of that hearing, the hearing board unanimously rejected the request. In its “findings of fact,” the board expressed concern about parking in the area. The Housing Coalition proposed 19 parking stalls for the 19 units, which would have two to three occupants in each unit.

The board finding said 19 units would result in additional vehicles along the streets near the building and “there is no room…in the area” to accommodate parking for more cars. Multiple nearby residents expressed the same concern at the hearing.

Housing Coalition vice-president Jeff Rich testified at the hearing as to the critical need for housing in the area. He also said 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 is estimated at $3.5 million, that amount to be covered by federal grants.

Meanwhile the project remains with the coalition. A spokesman for Dickey Realty, LLC said it is his understanding the housing organization is considering returning to the zoning hearing board with a revised proposal, one calling for fewer units and more parking spaces. The coalition’s Rich was not immediately available for comment.

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.