A Nevis family is in the process of applying for a conditional use permit to operate a fitness center, children's program, office space and apartments in Park Rapids' former middle school.
Bob, Jordan and Josh Richards of Richards Management, Inc. presented a rough sketch of their proposal to the city planning commission Monday night.
The proposal includes five residential apartments, an after-school program for children, rental office space for nurses, two gyms, showers, concessions, restrooms and lockers. They would be primarily located on the south side of the building.
The fitness center would include memberships and the gyms could be rented for events. Two of the apartments, which would all be located on the second floor above the lobby and offices, would belong to the Richards'. Parking would be available along the building and on 3rd Street. The entrance would be located at the south end of the building they would occupy.
City planner Mike Strodtman said the building owner must present a preliminary plat to the commission and apply for a variance. The Richards have acquired a building permit for fire walls to block areas of the building.
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The building and existing apartments are currently owned and managed by Scott Rech of Litchfield.
The commission expressed little objection to the application. Bob Hinneberg asked if an elevator would be available for moving furniture to the apartments and Ralph Wood inquired about handicap accessibility.
Although the building has an elevator, it doesn't provide access to the apartment area, said Bob Richards.
"The stairwell is very open," Jordan Richards said.
Strodtman said the fitness center area would be handicap accessible; the apartments would not.
"I'm not sure about the building inspector's requirements for that," he said.
The Richards are currently working with an architect on the project. Strodtman said Rech would present the preliminary plat to the commission in July. It must be approved by the city council following that.
"We're hoping to start on it in July and complete it in September," said Jordan Richards.
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The commission unanimously voted to table the application until Rech "completes staff requirements."
