LEXINGTON, Ky. — Monday was the first ribbon-cutting ceremony that the City of Lexington government leaders participated in since March 6.

That date, was when the first COVID-19 case was reported in Kentucky.

Monday morning, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and others gathered to announce details about the city’s latest affordable housing project. 

Meadowthorpe Landing is now home to 71 new affordable housing units that will provide apartments for senior citizens

"Yes, I think a stereotype, you know when you say affordable housing. A lot of people are thinking, not so good of a place, but that's not true. That's not true,” says new resident Pam Moore.

This new affordable, senior housing development has (57) 1-bedroom and (14) 2-bedroom apartments.

Each apartment is equipped with energy-efficient appliances, central heating and air, extra storage, a secure building access control system, and abundant natural light. The development also has amenities that are specifically designed for older adults starting at age 55 including a community room, fitness area, walking trails, laundry facilities, an outdoor gazebo, and extensive landscaping. All floors are served by an elevator.

"This is very exciting to have these beautiful affordable housing units for seniors. And there's a great need, they already have more applications than apartments, so, it speaks to the need for senior housing," mentions Gorton.

“What we wanted to do is blend this into the community of Meadowthorpe and that's why you see a lot of brick. And that's why you see it's being very respectful of the context around which it's surrounded so it's lots of brick, lots of landscaping to fit and to this neighborhood,” adds Holly Wiedemann, Founder, and President of AU Associates

AU Associates has developed several affordable housing projects in Lexington in recent years, but Meadowthorpe Landing is the largest.

Since 2014, Lexington's Affordable Housing Fund has allocated $15 million for the development and preservation of 1,755 affordable units ($8,547 per unit). The fund has leveraged an additional $152 million from private and governmental resources for the development of these units.