Staying with the story
The Springfield News-Sun has kept you informed about the future of the former Community Hospital site since it was first announced that the hospital would be closed in 2011.
By the numbers
$9.3 million: Cost of the proposed 80-unit senior living development at the former Community Hospital site.
$8 million: Amount of tax credit money awarded by the state to Neighborhood Housing Partnership of Greater Springfield.
11.5: Acres at the former hospital site.
Two weeks after being told no for a second straight year, a Springfield housing agency was awarded the tax credits it says it needs to build a $9.3 million senior housing development at the former Community Hospital site.
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency had rejected an application for Community Gardens earlier this month. But after re-evaluating the application, it notified Neighborhood Housing Partnership of Greater Springfield this week that it would receive the tax credits that will enable construction of the first 50 units.
“It’s kind of a miracle,” said Tina Koumoutsos, NHP executive director. “I think about that 100-plus waiting list we have of seniors that are just really excited.”
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NHP and co-developer Buckeye Community Hope Foundation will receive about $8 million up front, said Kelan Craig, director of planning, preservation and development for OHFA. Tax credits will then be sold to investors totaling $800,000 over the next 10 years.
“It’s not impossible that we would close by the end of the year, but probably it will be in early 2017 with a spring groundbreaking,” Koumoutsos said.
Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland was disappointed two weeks ago when the project didn’t get funding because he said this year’s application was even better than the one last year ago.
“I’m surprised but in a sense I shouldn’t be surprised that they reconsidered it and said it should be funded,” Copeland said. “I’m really happy with these results. This will be a very good thing for Springfield and especially the east side with something valuable on that piece of property.”
Koumoutsos cited the second part of the application that looks at exceptional development characteristics. The complex at the corner of Burnett Road and East High Street will eventually have 86 rental units for people 55 and older. The “pocket neighborhood” will include smaller clusters of eight to 12 homes and green space within the larger complex.
The units will also include an attached garage and will be fully accessible with no steps for seniors.
Craig cited good community partners, the pocket neighborhood concept and senior housing in a city that needs it as positive aspects of the development.
“We had an opportunity to re-evaluate some of the material that was submitted in the application and revised our score,” he said.
It’s rare for the state agency to come back two weeks later and award a program after its original announcement, Craig said.
“I know unfortunately folks were disappointed in the community and now they’re going to get good news,” he said.
The second phase of the 36 units will require another application to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. It’s undecided if NHP and its Columbus partner will apply for that next near or wait until 2018, Koumoutsos said.
The city of Springfield supported the senior housing project, including $250,000 in federal housing money and a letter of support from city commissioners.
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