By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – An Ogdensburg contractor now has approval to turn Washington School into apartments and offices after council approved a zoning change Monday.

Several community members who live near the school came to speak in favor of the project, crediting Jeff M. Skelly of JMS Mechanical for his attention to detail and neighborly considerations.

Several councilors also commended Skelly for his plans, adding that the city needs more projects like this.

Skelly will build a three-phase project that will begin with renovations of the second floor, first floor and parking lot.

On the second floor Skelly plans to create five apartments. Three will be larger and include two bedrooms, while the other two will feature just one bedroom each. All five apartments will be similar in style.

Each will include kitchen areas, dining rooms, living rooms, full bathrooms and half bathrooms. A mechanical room for an electrical panel box and heating ventilation and air conditioning handlers.

According to his plan apartments will feature a washer and dryer, telephone and cable connections and an LED fireplace.

He says the apartments will be designed with noise insulation in mind to allow for privacy among residents and neighboring apartments.

The first floor will include similar apartments with three large and two smaller units. Two of the apartments will also include a deck/ porch area.

One ground floor unit will be renovated to be American Disabilities Act compliant, but will be similar to the other 10 proposed units.

On the ground floor, Skelly intends to create three rentable commercial office spaces, an ADA compliant apartment, common and lounge areas, equipment storage and boiler/mechanical rooms.

Skelly said the existing gym area will be used as a community and common area for tenants.

His plans also call for cosmetic improvements for the building.