New affordable Center Crossing senior apartments open in downtown Hickory, NC

A Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting for the new Center Crossing affordable senior community located at 105 S. Center Street, Hickory, North Carolina, was held today by developer Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.

Center Crossing offers 50 one- and two-bedroom apartment units and serves residents age 55 and older who earn 40 to 80% of area median income (AMI). Rent rates for Center Crossing are $356 to $921/month depending on unit size and income restriction.

The new community is near the city’s downtown Union Square and close to many shopping, dining, and cultural opportunities, plus various medical facilities and public offices.

“We’re excited to welcome Center Crossing and its residents to our revitalized downtown area. Center Crossing provides much needed affordable housing for Hickory seniors and is a great addition along the Hickory Trail,” said Hickory Mayor Hank Guess. “Right up the street, the City Walk offers easy pedestrian connectivity to many destinations downtown, and soon the Historic Ridgeview Walk will pass directly in front of Center Crossing to extend the Hickory Trail through the Ridgeview community to U.S. 70.”

North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) allocated federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to Center Crossing to support equity financing which made the development possible. "The opening of Center Crossing represents a great success story for seniors living in downtown Hickory," said Scott Farmer, Executive Director for NCHFA. "These new homes come at a critical time as the need for affordable housing continues to grow across North Carolina."

Center Crossing is comprised of a brick-accented, contemporary four-story building with a controlled security access system. It has a central elevator and offers 28 one-bedroom and 22 two-bedroom apartments, with attractive, spacious living spaces and contemporary, high-quality finishes. There are five accessible units for those with mobility challenges, including two units specifically equipped for those with sight/hearing impairments. All apartments have kitchens with ENERGY STAR appliances, including dishwashers, central electric heat and air conditioning, washer/dryer closets with connections, window blinds, and each apartment has a dedicated storage area. Units are pre-wired for cable, telephone, and internet access. Center Crossing meets the standards and requirements for ENERGY STAR 2.0.

Community amenities include an onsite management office, a multipurpose space with kitchenette, laundry, fitness center, and computer room. Outdoor amenities include off-street parking, a covered patio with seating, and additional outdoor seating areas located throughout the property. A covered bus stop is located in front of the site.

“The City of Hickory is to be commended for revitalizing its downtown to offer residents an array of lifestyle amenities, services, retail and dining options, and we are thrilled to bring quality affordable housing options for seniors to this part of town,” said Denis Blackburne, Senior Vice President of Development for Woda Cooper Companies. “Center Crossing will appeal to active seniors who enjoy what the downtown has to offer while living in a high quality, secure building with an elevator and many amenities available to our residents to enjoy throughout the property.”

Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) provided a $250,000 HOME loan through its Unifour Home Consortium. “This new project is a great opportunity to provide seniors with housing in downtown hickory,” said Rick Oxford, HOME Program Director for WPCOG.

Affordable housing investor CREA, LLC, purchased the tax credits which provided for equity financing. "CREA is pleased to provide financial support to Center Crossing in Hickory, NC, in partnership with our friends and frequent collaborators at Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.," said Mike Boyle, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions at CREA. "Having completed many communities of impact with the Woda Cooper team, all of us at CREA hold great confidence that this development will provide residents with a transformative setting, and a safe place to live and grow. We are immensely proud to be a part of making these new homes a reality."

RiverHills Bank provided the construction loan and first mortgage. NCHFA also provided two permanent debt loans. Woda Construction, Inc. was general contractor. Architecture was performed by Raleigh-based TightLines Designs, civil engineering by Mc2 Engineering, Inc., structural engineering by Fluhrer Reed, and green building consultation by E2 Technologies. Woda Cooper Companies’ management division oversees leasing and property management.

About Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.
Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and its affiliates specialize in the development, design, construction, and management of high-quality affordable multi-family apartments, senior communities, and single-family homes. The company marked 30 years in business May 2, 2020, with operations in 16 states and a portfolio of approximately 400 communities and 16,000 units. Green building is standard with certifications including Passive House, Zero Energy Ready Homes, LEED, Enterprise Green, EarthCraft, and ENERGY STAR. Woda Cooper has offices in Savannah, GA; Indianapolis, IN; Shelbyville, KY; Queenstown, MD; Mackinaw City, MI; Columbus, OH; and Norfolk, VA. Affordable Housing Finance magazine ranked Woda Cooper Companies 10th in nation among Developers and 18th among Owners in 2021.



Photo caption - From left, front row: Nicole Ward, Occupancy Specialist, Woda Cooper Companies (holding ribbon); Anthony Starr, Western Piedmont Council of Governments; Center Crossing residents Kathleen T and Eva H; Mayor Hank Guess (with scissors); resident Gladys O; Mika Dennard, Regional Manager, Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.; resident Gail W; and Cameron Gardin, Community Manager, Woda Cooper Companies (holding ribbon). Back row, from left: Pastor David E. Roberts II, Morningstar Baptist Church; Elizabeth Edwards, Office of Senator Thom Tillis; Sherry Long, Western Piedmont Council of Governments; Scott Farmer, North Carolina Housing Finance Agency; Andy Wells, former NC Senator; and Denis Blackburne, Senior Vice President, Woda Cooper Companies.