By AMY RICKER
Great Bend Post
Construction on the Kansas State University House on 8th and Broadway has been underway for a year. While the home build is being used for educational purposes, the development has also been hindered by COVID-19.
Stafford County Economic Development Director Carolyn Dunn says they feel fortunate that construction has continued throughout the pandemic.
"It's been constructed primarily by students in the College of Architecture at K-State. We've had to work through some of the things that we've been restricted to because they can't drive together to get here, and then they can't stay the night. Each of them is committing to five hours of driving each day to contribute their volunteer labor to put the house together. It's taken a lot of commitment, especially from Professor Michael Gibson, who leads that class. We are very thankful, "explains Dunn.
Dunn says at this point, the home is "dried in," meaning the siding and roof are completed, but the interior still needs to be finished.
"The house has been of value because it's a unique demonstration and education project. We've been trying to find a way to build more affordable housing that's not just affordable to build, but there are a lot of features that make it affordable to live in. It's energy-efficient."
Dunn explains that the home has been extra valuable as it's been used to present to various grant sources that have, in turn, provided funding for nine more homes to be built for rental houses.
Dunn says much like most rural areas, rental housing is tough to find for Stafford county residents. Many of the existing homes in the county are older homes that are not efficient to live in.