Woodbourne House Public Dedication

For immediate release:
September 26, 2013

Historic Woodbourne landmark site on Douglass Boulevard is restored and to be rededicated as $3.1 million housing and senior services center

(Louisville, Ky.) In a joint announcement, New Directions Housing Corporation and Douglass Boulevard Christian Church announce the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of Woodbourne House (formerly known as Briney Hall) at 2005 Douglass Boulevard.

• A Dedication Ceremony will occur on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 10 a.m. and will include The Honorable Greg Fischer, Louisville Metro Mayor, and representatives from US HUD, Kentucky Housing Corporation and Highlands Community Ministries.
• Louisville Nonprofit Developer New Directions Housing Corporation oversaw the restoration of the Greek Revival landmark home and the construction of an annex that together provides 11 units for older persons.  New Directions, a United Way and NeighborWorks America member agency, will manage the site.
  
  
• As part of its continuing expansion of senior services serving residents of the 40204 and 40205 areas, Highlands Community Ministries will relocate its respected Shaffer Enrichment Center to operate in the receiving room and library of the Greek Revival home.
  
  
• Douglass Boulevard Christian Church, which acquired the historic home and surrounding area in 1936, will continue to host the Douglass Loop Farmers’ Market on site every Saturday in season, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Built in 1836 by Starks Fielding, the house was among the first 1,000 brick homes in the region and its 200-acre property originally included Big Rock in Cherokee Park.  The property was acquired by George Douglass after the Civil War, whose daughter later donated acreage and Big Rock to Cherokee Park.  For 10 years beginning in 1939, Rugby University School operated at the site.   Broadway Christian Church, later Douglass Boulevard Christian Church, acquired a large part of the original tract in 1936 and built their current place of worship at 2005 Douglass Boulevard in 1940.  In 1949, the church rededicated the historic home as Briney Hall.  It was in continuous use until 2005.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer noted that “the challenge of this point in Louisville’s march forward is in finding new purpose for buildings threatened by vacancy and no neighborhood is exempt from the necessary collaborations needed to forge new uses and meaning for such places as Woodbourne House.”

He continued, “That this much-loved place will be home to 11 seniors, continue the Farmers’ Market tradition and welcome others to daily senior activities is the hallmark of Louisville’s compassionate way of life.  This is a triple win.”

New Directions Housing Corporation is a nonprofit community development corporation founded in 1969 by members of Saint William Church.  New Directions owns and manages almost 1,000 units located in 97 historic buildings located across Metro Louisville.  The agency recently marked the 20th Anniversary of Kentuckiana Repair Affair, a volunteer-driven home repair initiative.  This summer, New Directions also co-developed the 1321 Community Inspiration Garden in Midtown, New Albany with Saint John Presbyterian Church and completed the 12-unit Wellspring Tonini Apartments at the historic Tonini Building in Phoenix Hill.

Resources assembled for the $3.1 million development include a $190,000 US HUD planning grant followed by a $1.2 million HUD Section 202 capital advance; Kentucky Historic Tax Credits and National Historic Tax Credits that yielded equity of $98,524 and $283,113 respectively;  national Low Income Housing  Tax Credits awarded by Kentucky Housing Corporation enabling $1,122,000 in equity investment, and grants from Louisville Metro Government ($180,000); Douglass Boulevard Christian Church ($40,000) and nearby neighbors ($13,000.)   Construction financing and equity investment came from Stock Yards Bank & Trust.  The development team included Bosse Mattingly Constructors and Architect Robert Haffermann with the firm K Norman Berry & Associate Architects.

The primary benefit to residents, now and into the future, is a multi-year HUD Section 202 operating subsidy that enables seniors of very low income to affordably access this housing.

New Directions Chief Executive Officer Joe Gliessner outlined the need for more senior housing. 
“For every unit, there are five applicants, and the need for such housing is growing as agencies like
New Directions seek resources to provide for people in need while repurposing vacant properties, in partnership with great institutions like Douglass Boulevard Christian Church.”

For more information contact:

The Reverend Dr. Derek Penwell

Senior Minister, Douglass Boulevard Christian Church
Cell:  (502) 452-2629 / (502) 641-9779

Lisa D. Thompson
Chief Operating Officer, New Directions Housing Corporation
Cell: 502-396-5111 / 502-719-7106