The Carroll County IDA is contributing the building along with approximately six acres of land to the project. The plan combines grants and tax credits provided by the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) to perform required repairs and upgrades on the building while converting the building to 51 affordable one, two and three-bedroom apartments. John Stiltner, Landmark’s Director of Development, added “we are really excited about this project. The Woodlawn School is a great building and it’s going to be a nice place for our residents to live.” Cliff Millirons of VHDA noted that “this project fits perfectly with VHDA’s mission to provide attractive, affordable housing to Virginians.” Steve Truitt, Executive Director of the IDA added “we could not have found a better partner to work with on this project than Landmark.” In addition, southwest-Virginia-based nonprofit community housing developer HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence, Inc.) has partnered with Landmark to assist in qualifying for and administering the tax credits.
Sam Sari, Landmark’s Vice President observed: “Our public-private partnership with Carroll County and HOPE, Inc. has been critical to the success of this project. This would not have happened without their support.” Andy Kegley, Executive Director of HOPE added “helping to provide these quality housing units in Carrol County is 100% in line with our mission to build community sustainability and independence.”
The project will feature amenities such as a park, walking trail and children’s recreation facilities. The school’s gymnasium, which is currently used by the Carroll County Recreation Department for senior activities and youth sports, will be leased back to the county for a nominal rate when the refurbishment is complete. Landmark estimates the project will cost approximately $9.8 million.
Carroll County has applied with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) to have the Woodlawn School included on the State and National Registers of Historic places, and is awaiting the result of the application. Steve Truitt, Carroll County Administrator said “I have really enjoyed working with the professionals at VDHR to nominate the School for historic status. Mike Pulice of their Western Region has been so good to work with. He understands how important the school is to many people around here.”
Classes were first held at the site in 1878 at the Woodlawn Male and Female Academy. The oldest part of the current building was built in 1908, and has been added on to several times over the years. In 1917, the school became the first in the nation to offer vocational and agricultural classes funded under the Smith-Hughes Act. Vocational education, which aims to prepare a student for a job in a craft, trade or in agriculture without the need to attend college, continues to grow in popularity and influence. Landmark Developers specializes in projects that preserve the historic character of the buildings they redevelop.
Work will begin on the refurbishment project beginning in Early-to-Mid-2019 with a planned completion in Mid-2020.
About the Landmark Group: The Landmark Group is a third-generation, family-owned development, ownership and property management business based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They have developed over 85 historic and tax-credit supported properties, representing over $430 million in investment in the communities where they are located - primarily in the Southeastern U.S. Landmark guides communities down the path of smart growth, one project at a time. Working with public and private interests, The Landmark Group develops plans, most often with layered financing, for the construction, management and operational success of housing, commercial and mixed-use projects designed to suit the local character while meeting local needs. Landmark is proud that their award-winning residential communities enhance the lives of their residents while make enduring contributions to the cities and towns where they are located. Because they stay on to manage the communities they build, they bring a long-term commitment to their projects.
About the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA): VHDA was created in 1972 by the Virginian General Assembly to help Virginians attain quality, affordable housing. They work in public-private partnerships with local governments, community service organizations, lenders, Realtors, developers and many others. VHDA provides mortgages for first-time homebuyers, as well as financing for apartment communities and neighborhood revitalization efforts. VHDA is self-supporting and receives no state taxpayer dollars to fund our programs. VHDA raises money in the capital markets, and we contribute a significant portion of our net revenues each year to help meet Virginia’s most difficult housing needs.
About HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Existence: Helping Overcome Poverty's Existence, Inc. (HOPE) was incorporated in 1993 with a primary mission of fulfilling the challenge of its name: to reduce the conditions contributing to poverty in southwest Virginia. HOPE is a human services organization providing tools to build community sustainability and independence. HOPE serves the counties of Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Grayson and Smyth and the city of Galax in southwest Virginia.
About the Carroll County Industrial Development Authority (IDA): The Carroll County IDA facilitates the attraction and retention of business to Carroll County, particularly in instances requiring the development of real estate and other capital investment. The IDA furthers its objectives through the development of publicly-owned industrial parks and financing assistance for the attraction of new or expansion of existing industrywithin the County. The IDA is composed of a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Carroll County Board of Supervisors for staggered four-year terms.