SHELBY — Updates three years in the making were unveiled Thursday at Shelby’s Park Village.
The affordable housing community, located at 65 Park Village in Shelby, is designed for residents 62 years of age and older or disabled individuals — regardless of age.
Jennifer Walters, president and CEO of Fairfield Homes, Inc. and Gorsuch Construction, Inc., opened a grand re-opening ceremony Thursday morning in the community room.
“A project of this magnitude doesn’t happen easily or without a lot of partnerships,” she said. “I thank all of our partners that have brought this community to fruition.”
Renovations to the community’s 128 units were made possible by several partners, including Fairfield Homes, National Church Residences of Shelby, Inc., Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, Gorsuch Construction and Grow America.
Additional partners include HDJ, an architectural, engineering, and planning firm, RiverHills Bank, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture.
What’s new?
Park Village’s 128 units of rural development senior housing include 80 units for which rental assistance has been preserved, according to a press release from Fairfield Homes.
Recently receiving substantial updates, the one and two bedroom apartments are now described as “like new.”
The $16 million-renovation investment means residents will enjoy improved living spaces, as well as an updated laundry facility, arts and crafts area, lounge area and meeting room.
Other improvements include an activity room, fitness room, community kitchen and an outdoor walking path with a community garden.
Fairfield Homes partnered with NDC Corporate Equity Fund, USDA Rural Development, River Hills Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati to secure funding for the project.
“We can’t wait for the community to see the beautiful renovations, energy efficient and
sustainable updates and high-quality finishes that Park Village now features,” Walters said in the press release.
“This well-appointed, convenient and affordable housing community is now equipped to enhance the lives of residents and foster an even greater sense of community among those who call Park Village home.”
Improvements throughout Park Village will also result in the property successfully achieving Enterprise Green certification, according to the press release.
Park Village loyal to its residents
Charles Mitchell, partner of ownership and development along with Fairfield Homes, has volunteered his time in several ways at the housing community for 35 years.
He’s also the chairperson of the board at NCR of Shelby and is Park Village’s current board president.
Mitchell said the community’s first 40 units were completed and occupied 48 years ago.
“The first time we looked at tax credit financing was around 2018/2019,” he said. “Fairfield did some research and determined that it was feasible, but we were going to lose about 25 residents.
“They’d (residents) have to move out of the village because of tax credit income restrictions at that time.”
The Park Village Board declined the opportunity without hesitation — not wanting to force any of its residents out of housing.
When income restrictions changed a few years later, Park Village formed a partnership with Fairfield Homes to complete renovations.
“We really appreciate their help very much,” Mitchell said of the full-service property management company. “We could not conceive of doing this without their help.”
Residents thanked for patience during renovations
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag said Park Village is an integral part of the greater Shelby community.
He said its design and location, tucked away from the busyness of the nearby Mansfield Avenue corridor, make it special.
“It is well managed and that’s key,” Schag said. “It’s well maintained. You can see the grounds look pristine today.
“And as is evidenced by today, it is well funded — to secure the future of this place, which is a special place, which so many people call home sweet home.”
Mitchell said Park Village is thankful for its residents — who truly make the scattered units a community.
“They all had to move out of their homes for several weeks and in a few cases months,” he said. “We thank them for their patience and for sticking it out.”
(Below are photos from Thursday morning’s grand re-opening ceremony for Shelby’s Park Village, 65 Park Village.)
