Board approves Park at Rosenwald land transfer and development plan with Griffin‑Spalding Housing Authority

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners approved development plan items on June 16 that enable the Griffin‑Spalding Housing Authority and Collaborative Housing Solutions to acquire the Jefferson Street site and proceed with the Park at Rosenwald affordable housing development.

Rachelle Patton, president of Collaborative Housing Solutions, and Kimberly Walker of the Griffin Housing Authority presented plans for a joint venture to develop workforce housing on the former Rosenwald School site. Patton said the development will include a renovation of an annex (the “equalization building”) to serve as a community building with property management offices, community room, laundry, warming kitchen and a business center with free Wi‑Fi. The partners said State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review has approved the proposed design for the annex renovation.

The housing authority is scheduled to close on the purchase around July 9; under the project structure the authority will own the land and the partnership will own the buildings, with a long‑term 99‑year ground lease keeping the land in public ownership. Patton said the site plan includes five residential buildings and that the project will include land‑use restrictions for 30 years to serve low‑income residents. The board voted 3–0 to approve development plan approval, deeds and related plat/replat applications and to authorize documents needed for closing. Developers said they hope to break ground in early July.

Board members and presenters emphasized long‑term ownership and property management arrangements; Patton noted existing and nearby projects including Griffin Village and other housing authority properties.