Housing Projects Underway in Rutherfordton
Housing in Rutherfordton
Redevelopment Commission & Urban Redevelopment Area (URA)
As an outcome of the 2019 Town of Rutherfordton Action Plan emerged the formation of the Rutherfordton Redevelopment Commission. The Redevelopment Commission focuses on a specific geographic boundary within the Town limits to address urgent home repairs and strategizes ways to acquire property for future affordable housing.
Partnering with Rutherford Housing Partnership, the Town has completed nearly 18 urgent home repairs with ongoing projects continuing. These projects have drastically improved the quality of life for those living in substandard housing. As for property acquisition, the Town has successfully acquired 7 individual lots. Four lots have been sold to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity for the development of 3 (for-sale) single-family homes and 1 (for-rent) duplex. One lot has been sold to Gateway Wellness Foundation for the development of 1(for-sale) single-family home. In mid-2024, the Town was able to acquire 5.88 acres from the Rutherford County Board of Education. The Town plans to collaborate with a developer to develop this site for affordable multi-family rental units.
Other property acquisition efforts continue in preparation for future affordable housing as well as urgent home repair projects. The Town and our partners are fully committed to increasing the quality and quantity of housing in our communities.
Creekwood Meadows
Creekwood Meadows is a 31 single-family housing subdivision created in partnership with the Town of Rutherfordton, Gateway Wellness Foundation, and Dogwood Health Trust. This development project has public water, sewer, maintained roads, sidewalks, streetlights, trash collection, fiber optic internet provided by AT&T, and a pocket park. The homes will be 3-bedroom 2 bath varying in square foot size between 1,000-1,500 sq. ft. with most being around 1,200 sq. ft.
This housing project is currently underway with about 10 homes completed and shows the full potential and power in having strong community partnerships. The Town, Gateway, and Dogwood continues to support this project. Learn more about this project and homeownership in this subdivision here: https://gatewaywellnessfoundation.org/housing/developments/creekwoodmeadows/
Central Business District Housing
- Court St. Apartments
Historic 126 W. Court Street was built in 1915. The building is a two-story brick structure with receded storefronts with a corbelled cornice and terra cotta coping. The owner is embarking on a full historic preservation renovation on the structure to include 4 apartments upstairs, a live-work unit downstairs, and a retail space. The owner has filed for and been approved by the National Park Service for State and Federal Historic Tax Credits. The project is currently under construction.
- 1st Street Apartments
The building located at 120 W 1st St., is in significant disrepair and is slated for a full-scale rebuild. Given the location of the property in the heart of the Main Street and Historic District this property is bordered on two sides by adjacent buildings and W. 1st St. The owner plans to develop a shop front building type that would allow for a 52-foot building to be constructed featuring 4 floors. The first floor would have 2 retail locations, the second floor would have 2 office suites, while floors 3 and 4 would feature 4/5 apartments per floor for a max residential use of 10 apartments. This project will bring a new building to the central business district which will accommodate a mix of uses.
Other Housing Projects
Cowan Lofts Apartments & Homes
In September of 2023, the Rutherfordton Town Council voted unanimously to enter into a development agreement with BCY LLC for an adaptive reuse project to convert two existing buildings into 17 residential apartments. The project site is accessible from Cowan and Shehan Street and will feature a variety of infrastructure improvements for the area as part of the project.
Additionally, the developer has recently submitted plans to construct 5 single-family homes as part of phase II for this project. Phase II plans to adjoin the apartments on the same property. The Town is excited to witness how one project leads to another. Further, we’re excited to see future projects connect to these two.
- Mitchell & W. 3rd Street Homes
A developer has submitted plans to bring 12 for-sale single-family homes to a 2.69-acre site adjacently located along N. Mitchell and West 3rd Street. Most of these homes will be around 1,410 sq. ft. and feature 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining space, 2 car garage, and a common area greenspace. Additionally, some units will be accommodated by accessory storage units. This project is in the early stages but continues forward.
R-S Middle School Repurposing
Home to many graduates of R-S Central High School from 1925 to 1992 and for years after served as R-S Middle School until 2022. This historic community iconic structure finds a new purpose towards education. This 50,746 square foot structure will be transformed into affordable housing for educators as recent years have shown significant challenges retaining and recruiting educators due to housing being unaffordable for many. Nearly 45 apartments along with amenities such as recreational space, library, gym, media room, laundromat among others will be available. This is a creative and unique way recruit and retain educators in our area.
*History: https://rschs.rcsnc.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1628808&type=d&pREC_ID=1769834