News
Release – July 14, 2004
Senior housing
opens in old school building in Neosho
Gov. Bob
Holden joined almost 100 people at ceremonies to celebrate the
opening of the Greystone Place Senior Apartments July 13 in
Neosho. Jeffrey E. Smith Development, Inc. and the Neosho
Housing Authority coordinated the rehabilitation project with
MHDC financing.
Greystone
Place includes 31 one- and two-bedroom apartments located in the
former Intermediate School, near the heart of downtown Neosho.
Opened in 1917, the school served the district until 1995, first
as the city’s high school, then later as a junior high and
middle school. The school played an important role in the
development of residential neighborhoods in the surrounding
area.
“It is very
fitting that a building that once served to educate our children
will now serve to house them as seniors,” said the governor.
The newly restored building has large common spaces, such as a
library, community room and foyer that will serve as a location
for social gatherings.
Greystone
Place was one of the city’s first historic preservation
projects. Court Square (the city’s downtown area) has been an
economic social and governmental center for the community for
more than 100 years. The completion of this project has
returned the former school building to its historic significant
in the community.
“This
project is a really positive step toward bringing people and
businesses back downtown. We’re really beginning to see a lot
of interest in this area of town,” Gib Garrow, Neosho Chamber of
Commerce director of economic development.
Missouri
Housing Development Commission financed the rehabilitation with
a $669,491 federal HOME loan at no interest for 30 years and
$299,607 in federal and state Rental Housing Tax Credits. This
is the fourth Neosho development that MHDC and Jeffrey E. Smith
Development have collaborated on. Other community properties
with MHDC financing include Neosho Meadows (1996), Neosho Villas
(1998) and The Hamptons of Neosho (2001).
More
information regarding the development can be obtained by
contacting the property manager, Maralyn Miller, 417.451.3002.
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