Nonprofit unveils $18 million plan to convert Green River’s Washington School into transitional home for single mothers

Deborah Murchie, founder and president of the Mackenzie Home Project, told the Sweetwater County commissioners the nonprofit is under contract to acquire the burned Washington School in Green River and intends to convert the site into a transitional home for single mothers and their children.

"It's an expensive project. It's approximately an $18,000,000 project," Murchie said, describing a plan to recreate the historic school façade and to place about 25 mothers — with roughly two children each — in the renovated '50s portion. She said the organization has hired an architect and contractor, completed a feasibility study and raised about $300,000 to cover professional costs so far.

Murchie said the facility will combine residential units with community-oriented spaces — an atrium, classrooms and a multi-purpose room — and deliberate income-generating elements such as leasable offices on the Washington School's upper floor and event rentals to offset maintenance costs. "What the money that we will bring in from the lease of that office space and the rent, of the community renting the multi purpose room, that will help to offset just the maintenance part of that building," she said.

Board member Carrie Fisher described early community supports and one-on-one assistance the group has already provided while the building is prepared: short-term housing, transport, and referrals that helped individual mothers secure employment and stabilize. Commissioners asked about fundraising progress and feasibility work; Murchie said the capital campaign manager and grant-writing staff have been paid from the early funds and that many foundations require an operating facility before awarding larger grants.

Commissioners expressed support for the concept and the historical preservation approach. Commissioner Slaughter said he attended school in the building and called the project a worthy effort; Commissioner West and others thanked the presenters and acknowledged the project's scale and hopeful community benefits.

The presenters said the nonprofit plans a public fundraising banquet on April 26 and will pursue state funding through relevant grant programs and private donations. They requested continued engagement from county staff on permitting and city partnerships to support infrastructure elements the project may require.