To see a model for school redevelopment, go to Northside.

        The former Salmon P. Chase Elementary School, which first closed in 1979, is being converted into a 28-unit apartment complex for low- and moderate-income families. Renters can earn equity in their units, which will later be converted to condos.

        As Cincinnati Public Schools considers a $1 billion rebuilding proposal that includes closing 23 buildings, 14 of which may be rebuilt as combined schools or by themselves on other sites the former Chase school is being hailed as a success story. The school district is planning to develop a policy so any vacant buildings won't stay vacant long.

        But renovating old schools is tough, developers say.

        “Don't count on the cost being any less than new construction,” says Neena Jud of Harmony Architecture in Finneytown.

        Ms. Jud and others who were part of the redevelopment say it takes money, hard work and a passion for preservation.

        “In some cases, it would be cheaper to build a new building,” says Marilyn Ebertz, executive director of the Women's Research and Development Center. “But absolutely without a question, it's worth it.”

        Ms. Ebertz's nonprofit development corporation is remodeling the former Chase Elementary into Chase Commons after having refurbished the old Garfield School in 1994 into 47 affordable housing units.

        The cost for Chase is expected to reach about $4 million. That comes from about $400,000 in grant funds from the state of Ohio and more than $1.3 million from the city of Cincinnati, Ms. Ebertz said. A major part of financing is from state funds held with the Women's Research and Development Center's banks to make their loans affordable. Other funding is coming from women's religious organizations.

        Older buildings like Chase, built in 1888, have solid masonry, wood floors, beautiful windows and high ceilings, and are already connected to city sewers and city electric systems, says Janet Kalven, a founder of the redevelopment organization.

        But lead and asbestos abatement is costly. So is conversion of classrooms and cloakrooms to bedrooms and closets. Many old school buildings have outdated electrical systems and aren't accessible for people with disabilities.

        Almost every one of the district's 76 school buildings assessed by the state last year needs asbestos removal. Seventy schools need new electrical systems, the state says. Many schools have inadequate roofs, heating systems and windows.

        State law requires first offering the to-be-closed buildings to charter school officials. Those that remain will be promoted for redevelopment.

        It won't be the first time.

        Former school buildings across Cincinnati have been rehabilitated to house a health center, a television station, offices, apartments and other uses. They include:

        • Lincoln School on Delta Avenue in Columbia-Tusculum, which was transformed into an office complex.

        • The old Harriet Beecher Stowe School on West Seventh Street in Queensgate, which is now the home of WXIX-TV.

        • Guilford School on East Fourth Street downtown, refurbished by Western-Southern Life Insurance Co., to house an employee training center and fitness facility.

        Other schools have been razed. Among them are the old Evanston School, Oakley School and Columbian Elementary in Avondale.

        Cincinnati Public Schools spokeswoman Jan Leslie says the district can't say how many buildings likely will be reused. The school board is considering a “sunset” policy to demolish buildings that have not been redeveloped after several years.

        “What we don't want is buildings to sit vacant for 10-20 years,” she says.

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