Early 20th Century Buildings Provide Rental Housing
in Springfield
MHDC Vice
Chairman Ron Fulp of Springfield’s Signature Bank helped
celebrate the opening of the Walnut Apartments at the 700 block
of Walnut in Springfield Nov. 10. The grand opening ceremonies
marked the opening of the 34 newly rehabilitated and converted
apartments in the downtown area. The apartments will rent for
between $325 and $395 per month for low-income families.
“Restoration
of the buildings was essential to the city’s continued and
successful efforts to revitalize its downtown,” said David Bryan, Public Information Officer. “The restoration of Walnut
Apartments saved a valuable resource before it deteriorated
beyond repair and recreated four examples of American
architecture in the beautiful downtown Springfield.”
Carlson
Gardner, Inc. funded the approximately $4 million project with
the help of state and federal historic-preservation and
low-income-housing tax credits allocated through the Missouri
Housing Development Commission. The project was approved for
$427,811 in federal and state Rental Housing Tax Credits. It
also was funded with historic tax credits..
Built in the
early 1900’s, the four buildings were originally built for
individual residence and as multiple dwelling apartments.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of
the Walnut Street Historic District, the buildings have a
standing history in the community, long recognized for their
classical detail and Catalog Builder style architecture.
The property
at 708 Walnut is a particularly unique example of
Catalogue/Builder style with its two-story rounded porch that
covers the full façade. The Englenook building (700 Walnut)
represents the period of construction beginning in the Pre-World
War I era that marked the urban transformation of Springfield’s
downtown core.
###
Direct questions to Brandon Laster, Public Information Officer, 816.759.6692; e-mail
blaster@mhdc.com
