Tooele County Housing Authority – Harris Community Village
2025 Adaptive Reuse Awardee
Project Dates: October 2022 and December 2023
Building: Harris Elementary 251 N 1st Street, Tooele, UT 84074
Architect: Unknown
Construction Date: 1952
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Ten-Classroom Addition (later demolished): 1962
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Kitchen Addition: 1978
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Boiler Room Addition: 1991
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Gym Addition: 1998
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Teachers' Lounge Remodel and Wheelchair Lift Addition: 1998
Team Members
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AJC Architects
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Arcsitio Design
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Wadman Corporation
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BHB Structural
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WHW Engineering
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BNA Consulting
Harris Community Village, located in Tooele City, is an adaptive reuse project that transformed the former Harris Elementary School into a vital resource for the community’s most vulnerable populations. Originally constructed in 1952, the school underwent various additions, including a ten-classroom addition in 1962, a kitchen addition in 1978, a boiler room addition in 1991, and a gymnasium addition in 1998. These changes reflect the evolving needs of the community throughout the decades. The building, which had served as a school for over 50 years, was central to Tooele, and many residents have fond memories of their time there.
By the time the project began in October 2022, the building had been vacant for some time and required significant updates and improvements. Despite no official historic designations, the school’s value to the community was undeniable. The project team, which included local advocates and organizations, was determined to repurpose the school rather than demolish it. The renovation included seismic retrofitting to ensure the building’s safety and longevity while preserving as much of the original structure as possible, including the exterior masonry and roofing.
The project was driven by a partnership between Pastor Rick of Tooele, who had seen the growing homelessness issue firsthand, and the LHC team. This partnership led to the creation of a community resource center that serves the unsheltered populations of Tooele County, including those affected by domestic violence, substance addiction, and unemployment. The renovated school building now houses temporary shelter and essential services for individuals and families in need. Adjacent to the school is a newly built 66-unit apartment building, which offers permanent supportive housing for those facing homelessness.
The design of Harris Community Village was intended to preserve the building and enhance its ability to serve the community. The apartment building provides subsidized rent for permanent tenants and includes case management and supportive services to help individuals regain stability. The project overcame many challenges, including vandalism, unforeseen seismic issues, and demanding winter conditions during construction. However, the dedicated team, including DeAnn Christiansen (former Executive Director of Tooele County Housing Authority) and Carol Hollowell of Switchpoint, remained committed to making the vision a reality.
The project utilized financing from the Rocky Mountain Community Reinvestment Corporation (RMCRC), grants from the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund (OWHLF), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) investment, and a loan from Friends of Switchpoint. Despite the challenges, Harris Community Village is now an unprecedented facility in Tooele City, providing immediate shelter and long-term solutions for homelessness. It serves as a model for other communities, demonstrating the power of adaptive reuse and the potential for public buildings to serve new purposes while honoring their historical significance.
Through its preservation and repurposing, Harris Community Village respects Tooele's history and shows how public buildings can be transformed to meet a community's evolving needs. It provides a unique, supportive environment for those facing hardship and offers a hopeful future for the people of Tooele County.
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