Community Leaders and Development Partners Mark Transformation of Historic Franklin Hospital into 72 Affordable Senior Apartments
FRANKLIN — Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA), Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation (RNDC), New Orleans Restoration Properties, LLC (NORP), community leaders, public officials and development partners gathered yesterday in Franklin to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Avenue Senior Apartments, a $37 million redevelopment that will transform the long-vacant former Franklin Foundation Hospital into 72 affordable apartments for seniors.
The noon groundbreaking at 1501 Hospital Avenue marked the ceremonial groundbreaking event on a project that will preserve one of Franklin’s most recognizable community landmarks while giving the historic property a new purpose serving older adults in St. Mary Parish.
For Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, which is celebrating 130 years of service to the community across the region, the development represents both a continuation of its long history and an investment in the region’s future.
Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana and its affordable housing development arm, advances housing and development initiatives that are part of VOASELA’s broader commitment to strengthening communities across Southeast Louisiana.
“For 130 years, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has been part of the fabric of our community, serving generations of individuals and families and responding to the changing needs of Southeast Louisiana,” said Vanessa Levine, Executive Director of RNDC. “The Avenue is a powerful example of what that commitment looks like today. We are preserving a place that means something to the people of Franklin while creating safe, high-quality and affordable homes for older adults who deserve the opportunity to remain connected to the community they know.”
“RNDC is proud to partner with NORP and this extraordinary group of public, private and community partners to bring The Avenue to life,” Levine continued. “Under the vision and leadership of President and CEO Voris R. Vigee, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana is building upon its unmatched tradition of service with a clear commitment to expanding our impact for the generations ahead. Quality, affordable housing is an essential part of that future, and today in Franklin we saw what is possible when a community comes together around a shared vision.”
The ceremony brought together representatives from organizations whose collaboration has made redevelopment possible. Participants included Dr. Gary Wiltz, Chief Executive Officer of Teche Health; Beverly Domengeaux, Executive Director of the St. Mary Council on Aging; Jeff Beverly, Executive Director of Community Action Partnership; Evan Boudreaux, Director of Economic Development, Policy & Government Affairs for St. Mary Parish; Sam Jones, St Mary Parish President, Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard; State Senator Robert Allain, Louisiana Senate District 21; Brenda Evans, Chief Operating Officer of the Louisiana Housing Corporation and Marseah Delatte, Managing Member of New Orleans Restoration Properties, LLC,
Representatives of the project’s financing and development partners also participated, including Ra’Shaud Haines, Vice President and Senior Commercial Relationship Manager with Home Bank and Janis Bowdler, President of the Solutions Division at Enterprise Community Partners.
Paul Irons, Managing Member of New Orleans Restoration Properties, LLC, served as master of ceremonies and welcomed the partners and community members who gathered to mark the beginning of construction.
“The Avenue is more than an adaptive reuse — it’s a promise kept to the people who built this community,” Irons said. “Together with RNDC, we’re taking a place that once cared for the sick and giving it new purpose: caring for the seniors of Franklin with dignity, safety and a real sense of home. This only happens because Louisiana Housing Corporation and every partner at the table believed in the vision as much as we did. That’s what building something that lasts looks like.”
A Landmark Begins a New Chapter
Originally constructed in 1951, the three-story building served for decades as Franklin’s hospital. Generations of St. Mary Parish residents have a personal connection to the property, including families whose children were born there.
The hospital closed and the building has remained vacant since 2008.
The Avenue will now give that landmark a new chapter.
When construction is complete, the development will provide 72 affordable apartments for seniors age 55 and older, serving residents earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI).
The substantial rehabilitation will incorporate high standards for energy efficiency and include apartments designed to serve residents with developmental and physical disabilities, as well as veterans. The project will preserve the historic character of the former hospital while creating a modern residential environment designed around the needs of older adults. Total development cost is approximately $37.4 million, layering tax-exempt bonds, CDBG funds through the Louisiana Housing Corporation and Office of Community Development, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits, LIHTC equity, a Home Bank construction loan, and Affordable Housing Program grant funding from the Federal Home Loan Banks of Dallas and Atlanta.
A Community Investment Built Through Partnership
HCI Architecture is serving as Architect of Record, with RNGD Builders and NORP Construction, LLCserving as Builder/Contractor. Upon completion, HRI Management will serve as property manager.
Additional essential partners include the St. Mary Parish Industrial Development Board, City of Franklin, Teche Health and St. Mary Council on Aging.
This groundbreaking moves The Avenue from years of planning and partnership into construction — preserving a building that has been part of Franklin’s past while creating affordable housing designed to serve its residents well into the future.
About VOASELA:
Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s oldest and largest comprehensive human services organizations with 16,000 paid professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, the faith-based nonprofit has affiliates in over 400 communities in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and serves more than 1.5 million people a year.
For 130 years, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has empowered and uplifted individuals including veterans, at-risk youth, low-income seniors, men, and women returning home after incarceration, homeless individuals and families, persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families in need of affordable housing, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart, and the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. Visit www.voasela.org for more information.
For more information about Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, visit www.voasela.org