Several Kentucky communities still find themselves rebuilding after natural disasters that claimed property and lives in 2021 and 2022.
During his Thursday “Team Kentucky” update, Governor Andy Beshear offered an update on a 2024 announcement — where nearly 1,000 rental units were commissioned for construction in West Kentucky through SOCAYR, or Spirit Of Christmas All Year Round, Inc.
Properties, Beshear said, have since closed in Mayfield, Dawson Springs and Bowling Green, where 294 of the 1,000 units will be built. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with Christian County still on the list for reparations and property development through this effort.
Specifically, Beshear said this results in 66 for the new Commonwealth Court in Mayfield, 48 in the new Marketplace Commons in Dawson Springs, and 180 in the new Emery Flats in Bowling Green.
Beshear visited west Kentucky last week, dedicating homes in Princeton and Mayfield.
According to beaconproperty.com, Marketplace Commons is designed to support the region’s workforce and long-term recovery from the devastating December 2021 tornadoes.
Developed by Bywater Development Group and SOCAYR Inc. in collaboration with the Madisonville/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, these will be high-quality, professionally-managed apartments for families earning 60% or less of the area median income.
They will be located at the “highly-visible” northeast corner of U.S. Highway 62 and Industrial Park Drive, offering convenient access to nearby job opportunities, while strengthening the connections between housing and employment. The development will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units built to modern energy efficiency standards, while select ground-floor units will be fully accessible for residents with mobility impairments.
Some community-focused amenities in the construction will include a business center, a library and an activity space, as well as a playground, some landscaped walking paths, a picnic and grill area, and a permanent on-site management office.
Exterior materials will feature a durable finish like brick and fiber-cement siding to complement the surrounding neighborhood.
