THE PARK MINISTRIES

The Park Ministries broke ground Dec. 11 on Gilfield Park, an 80-unit senior apartment complex next to its Beatties Ford Road campus. Rent at the apartments range from $400 to $1,200 per month.

The Park Ministries is developing affordable housing for seniors in Historic West End.

The Park, its community development corporation and Laurel Street broke ground Saturday on Gilfield Park next to The Park Church Beatties Ford Road location. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2023.

The Gilfield name connects the development to the church’s roots, which was founded in 1913 as Gilfield Missionary Baptist Church. The community of 80 units have monthly rent ranging from $400 to $1,200 monthly for people 55 years of age and older with incomes ranging from 80% area median income or below. The 48 one-bedroom apartments and 32 two-bedroom units range from 660 to 900 square feet.

The total development cost is $16.8 million.

“Under the leadership of Bishop Claude Alexander, The Park Church’s long-term vision is to acquire and develop land for the primary purpose of building affordable housing, especially for seniors,” said James Jackson, board chair of The Park Community Development CDC. “This vision aligns with The Park CDC’s mission, which is focused on affordable housing, healthy living and economic development. The groundbreaking of Gilfield Park is the first phase of the realization of that vision.”

Said Laurel Street president and CEO Dionne Nelson: “Our senior population is growing exponentially in Charlotte, and with it, so is the need for high-quality, affordable senior housing. We are grateful to collaborate with the faith-based community to address one of Charlotte’s most critical needs.”

The single-building community will have outdoor green space, gardens, fitness center, community room, elevator access, covered patio and individual storage units. Interiors include fully-equipped kitchens, walk-in closets, and ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms.

“The city of Charlotte is excited and pleased to partner with Laurel Street, The Park Church, and the Park Community Development Corporation on the development of The Park Seniors,” said Pam Wideman, Charlotte’s housing and neighborhood services director. “This development will assist in expanding the greatly needed supply of high-quality affordable housing in the city of Charlotte. Additionally, the development will provide high-quality affordable housing to some of the city’s most deserving senior residents and is a demonstration of a successful public/private/faith community partnership.”

Gilfield Park includes sidewalks that offer walking access to shopping, transit dining and grocery options. The community can easily be accessed from Beatties Ford Road and I-77. Nearby amenities include Hornets Nest Park, Sunset Community Farm and Sunset Hills Golf Course.

Gilfield Park is the first part of a larger effort to develop The Park Church’s 51-acre campus. The apartments are financed by Bank of America, Charlotte Housing Trust Fund and LISC Charlotte through  administration of the Charlotte Housing Opportunity Investment Fund. Bank of America provided both a construction loan and a tax-credit equity investment. The land is leased from The Park Church.

“LISC is honored to be part of a diverse team of public, private, and faith-based institutions partnering to build needed affordable housing for seniors in Charlotte,” said Ralphine Caldwell, LISC Charlotte’s executive director. “The Park Seniors is just one example of LISC leveraging other sources of capital to bring CHOIF one step closer to its goal of investing in over 1,500 units of affordable housing in Charlotte.”

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