History: In 1993, Nehemiah Corporation with Senior Action, Inc. went before the Greer City Council to propose the development of 48 one-bedroom apartments for the elderly. The recommended site was some open space owned by the City which had formerly been used as a passive park. The City was immediately enthusiastic about the proposal, having already started planning a center for Greer Community Ministries for senior citizens on the same site. They also were planning an adult day care facility as a part of the same complex. The City formed a committee made up of City Council members, Greenville County Redevelopment Authority, Greer Housing Authority, and representatives of the banking community. After spending six months examining proposals from six different developers, the group decided to build a single building, one story complex using a design successfully completed in North Carolina. Unfortunately, the for-profit developer selected to build the complex could not obtain the necessary financing for the development.
Challenge: Create a non-profit partnership that could obtain the needed financing and build the 48 one bedroom apartment complex.
Solution: Nehemiah teamed up with Volunteers of America of the Carolinas, Inc. (VOA) in Columbia and was able to get the financing put together in six months. Construction was completed in the Fall of 1996. John I. Smith Charities awarded the group a grant to pay for half of the furniture costs for the facility. Snow Street Place is a perfect example of what a focused, collaborative partnership can do. Due to a great deal of planning across many fronts, Greer now has Snow Street Place, a 48 unit apartment complex, an adult day center, and a comprehensive social services support system on site provided by Greer Community Ministries and Senior Action, Inc.
