6 Sevier Street
P. O. Box 8958
Greenville, SC 29604-8958

tel (864) 235-0534
fax (864) 235 0556
info@nehemiahcrc.org

Projects of Nehemiah Community Revitalization Corporation

Kennedy Place

Location: Type: Targeted Residents: Owner:

Anderson, South Carolina Adaptive Re-use Historic Property Senior Renters Kennedy School, LLC

History: The City of Anderson owned Kennedy School, a former elementary school built in 1913.  A for-profit developer had attempted to complete a tax credit development for seniors and had been unsuccessful.  In 2006, a City Councilman asked Nehemiah if they would take a look at the project.  Nehemiah got the school placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  They built 20 one bedroom units in a two story new building built on land behind the school.  Nehemiah converted the school and the auditorium building into 21 additional one bedroom housing units with community spaces in 2008completed 41 one bedroom units with community spaces in 2008

Challenge: Do an adaptive re-use of the existing buildings while retaining their historic character.  Utilize Section 8 Project-Based Assistance to make the units affordable for very low income seniors.

Solution: Nehemiah hired Martin Meek, an historical architectural specialist to work with Palmetto Architectural Group to complete the plans for the adaptive re-use.  The architect, Charles F. Gentry, Jr. with Mr. Meek’s assistance was able to gain approval of the plans and worked with the S.C. Department of Archives and History to complete the renovation in accordance with them.  The Anderson Housing Authority utilized the Section 42 competitive round as the method for determining an award of 41 Section 8 Project-Based Voucheres for the project.  Kennedy Place is now fully occupied and a major success.