The iconic Zarah Hotel building in downtown Great Bend is poised for a major transformation as the “Lofts at the Zarah” project has now started construction work.

This ambitious $6.25 million endeavor promises to breathe new life into the heart of the city and serve as a spark for even more downtown revitalization, according to a news release from Justin Pregont, managing member of Pomeroy Development / Pomeroy Properties.

MyTown is the parent organization of The Lofts at Fort Zarah LLC. In 2021, MyTown began applying for grants that would turn the second floor of the Main Street building into liveable space.

The finished product will feature 28 apartments with a blend of historic and contemporary interior finishes, an elevator to the second and third levels, indoor mail delivery, stainless steel appliances, and private laundry facilities in each apartment. The project will create four studio units, 15 one-bedroom units, and nine two-bedroom units. 

Local craftsmanship lies at the heart of this endeavor, with Great Bend-based Kustom Floor Designs Inc. leading as the general contractor. The local branch of Peoples Bank and Trust is also on board to provide construction financing. The owners and developers of the project are proud to enlist local investors, local financing, and local contractors as a boost to the Great Bend economy, the news release states.

Crucially, Lofts at the Zarah has leveraged a series of gap financing and cost-reducing programs to make this project feasible, including Moderate Income Housing and Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit funding from the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation as well as historic tax credits through the State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service. Critical tax abatements were also endorsed by Great Bend’s local governments through the Revitalization Housing Incentive District program. Additionally, the project benefited from a local “Loft Grant,” a partnership between the City of Great Bend and Great Bend Economic Development. These initiatives have been instrumental in overcoming financial hurdles, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in driving downtown revitalization. 

“The partners of MyTown have dreamed of making this happen for many years now,” said Sheryl Cheely, longtime member of MyTown. “I’m really looking forward to getting this finished so our community can see the lights on upstairs at the Zarah for the first time in 50+ years.”

Lofts at the Zarah expects construction to take 14-16 months and the apartments will be available for lease as early as late summer of 2025.