The Committee of the Whole approved, on consent, an ordinance designating 541 East Black Avenue as a local historic landmark and heard a presentation from the Historic Sites Commission and the proposed owner about the site's future use.

Bobby, a commissioner with the Historic Sites Commission, summarized the building's local ties and ownership history, including its connection to Marjorie Merriweather Post and the King's Daughters organization. Bobby described the building’s evolution from the Carrie Post King's Daughters Home for Women to Benedictine University dormitory and noted it had been on the market after the university reduced operations.

Yolanda Rice, representing 541 East Black Partners LLC, told the committee her company intends to convert the structure to an extended‑stay facility for traveling nurses and nursing students. Rice said, “We will be providing 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments that would be furnished for extended living from 9 months to 12 months in their objectives to pursue their nursing careers and pursue their nursing education.” She also said the conversion would reduce unit count from 26 efficiencies to 18 one‑ and two‑bedroom units to provide larger living space and address parking concerns.

Nut graf: The landmark designation preserves the building’s exterior and local historic context while allowing a private owner to pursue a reuse that the developer and commissioners said would provide longer‑term housing for health‑care workers near the city’s medical district. City staff said developers have engaged planning, building, fire and other departments and reached out to the Post Foundation about the project.

Council members praised the preservation approach and asked about national designation and rent levels. Rice said the project would initially pursue local landmark status but could consider national designation later and indicated rents would be market rate based on studies and discussions with St. John’s nursing programs.

The ordinance designating 541 East Black Avenue as a historic landmark was placed on the consent agenda and approved. Staff said the owner intends to preserve the exterior facade and proceed with due diligence and building and zoning reviews required for the conversion.

Ending: The designation clears a preservation path while the developer continues design and permitting work; staff and the applicant said they will return to the city for any required approvals as plans develop.