The Richmond School Board has cleared the way for the old Baker Elementary School in Gilpin Court to be converted into 55 new apartments for the elderly and disabled.

The School Board voted 9-0 Monday night to deed the vacant building to the city, which is then expected to transfer the property at 100 W. Baker St. to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

As reported by the Free Press in the May 21-23 edition, RRHA is planning to transform the building into 55 apartment units as part of its arrangement to replace 200 units in the nearby 11-story Frederic A. Fay Towers. RRHA plans to have the renovation of the school undertaken by the Community Preservation and Development Corp. of Washington, its development partner in replacing the high-rise.