BEATRICE – A piece of property recently acquired by Hoppe Development for building senior apartments is being deeded back to the City of Beatrice, so a new playground can be installed.


The agreement was approved by city officials Monday night….which would install a new playground on the former Stoddard Elementary School site, using a grant the city will receive. The playground would be at the same location where one existed while the property was used as a school.


The city is also selling property to Hoppe Development adjacent to the south…for the construction of several housing units. Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says the land is located from Ames Street, to the south, between 7th and 8th.


Pending grant approval, the project would be under construction in 2026. Currently, Hoppe is working on converting the former Stoddard School building into senior living apartments, each with its own entrance or exit.


The south side of the property would be for designated affordable housing…eligible for a person making between $18,500 and $49,200…based on the area’s median income figures. Although given final approval at Monday night’s meeting, Council member Dana Hydo would like the city to consider not handling such matters at only one meeting.


Hydo said she did not object to the project and voted in favor of it, during the council’s 8-0 vote of approval. But, she said the public should be given more time to contact council members on such plans.