HUNTINGTON Ƶ Details of the renovation plans of the long-vacant former Prichard Hotel in downtown Huntington into an affordable housing location for seniors aged 55 and older have been released.
Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, alongside more than 20 partners consisting of individuals, community partners, and state and federal agencies, announced Monday the launch of what they called the ƵPrichard Hotel Building Renovation Project.Ƶ
ƵWhen we embarked on this incredible journey over five years ago to develop the Prichard Hotel, no one had any idea of how this could be done. We all had faith in God mixed in with tenacity and commitment,Ƶ Nikki Thomas, president of Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, said in a press release. ƵGiving up even through the down times was never a possibility.Ƶ
Thomas said preparation work has already started on the building.
ƵThe renovations should be completed and the building open to the public in approximately 18 months,Ƶ Thomas said in a text message responding to questions about the timeline for the project.
The detailed plans call for the first two floors to provide health care services and additional community resources with the rest of the building providing 108 residential living spaces.
Hospice of Huntington will occupy space on the first floor to facilitate a medical day center for aging adults in conjunction with a new facility the organization is currently developing.
ƵWe are excited to see the transformation of this historic landmark building develop into a hub for excellent senior living and services,Ƶ Melanie Hall, president and CEO of Hospice of Huntington, said in the release.
The Metro Area Agency on Aging will house a resource and referral space in the building to create accessible resources to disabled seniors, according to the released plans.
ƵWe look forward to encouraging older adults to lead active and healthy lives in dignity and in full enjoyment of their rights and independence,Ƶ Brenda Landers, of the West Virginia State UniversityƵs Metro Area Agency on Aging, said in the release.
Marshall Health Network, Marshall University and Marshall Health will use space in the Prichard building to create a ƵGeriatric Center for Excellence.Ƶ
ƵDeveloping a center of excellence for healthy aging is critical to our nation and our region, as West Virginia reflects one of the oldest populations in our nation,Ƶ Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University, said in the release.
Cornerstone officials said the Prichard initiative involves more than 11 funding sources merging to compile capital. The renovation project will create more than 200 jobs with multiple local companies during the construction phases.
Partners in the project also include West Virginia Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, who has worked with Cornerstone Community Development from the beginning.
ƵThis project has been an ongoing effort with many leading organizations in our region and our state,Ƶ Plymale said in the release. ƵTogether, they are bringing a large number of great jobs and sustained economic development to the area through all phases of this project.Ƶ
CVS Health also invested more than $17 million toward the adaptive-reuse and rehabilitation of the Prichard Hotel into affordable senior housing.
Cornerstone purchased the building from Christ Temple Church in Huntington in 2019 after the church failed in its attempt to renovate the building into ƵHope Tower,Ƶ a place where people could go through a spiritually based program to recover from substance use disorder.
The Hope Tower project was announced in 2014, but by March 2015, residents were ordered to vacate after city inspectors found numerous plumbing and electrical code violations in the building. The building has been empty since then.
Cornerstone board member Rocky Adkins said without Christ Temple Church and Pastor Chuck LawrenceƵs vision for the Huntington community and its health and welfare, the Prichard project would not have been undertaken and subsequently accomplished.
ƵChrist Temple Church played a significant part in coordinating and supporting this endeavor to succeed,Ƶ he said.
ƵOur city is an exceptional community, and we are so grateful to have a part in adding the extraordinary value and advantage this project will bring,Ƶ Lawrence said.
Randy Saunders, vice president of Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, said, ƵThis area is filled with amazing people and amazing opportunities. I hope this project serves as a beacon of hope for this community. A reminder that nothing is too far gone. That no one is without hope. Take off the lens of negativity and see what can be overcome.Ƶ
Thomas says the Prichard renovation project will allow the building to be brought back to life.
ƵIt will begin a new legacy to address a critical need in the community by serving as a national model for safe, revitalized, and affordable housing for seniors,Ƶ she said. ƵThis endeavor involves remediation and cleanup of environmental issues, and major construction consisting of preservation, restoration and modernization.Ƶ
Winterwood Development will work alongside Cornerstone on the project.
ƵWinterwood is excited to be partnering with Cornerstone Community Development Corporation on the redevelopment of the Historic Prichard Hotel in Huntington into high-quality housing and Community Service space,Ƶ Mike Hynes, CEO of Winterwood, Inc., said in the release. ƵOnce completed, this development will be transformative for downtown Huntington, and we are grateful to all of the partners who have assisted with making this vision a reality.Ƶ
Located at 611 9th St. in Huntington, the building was built by real estate developer Fred C. Prichard and managed by veteran hotel man A.E. Kelley. The 13-floor, 120,000-square-foot building opened in 1926 as the Prichard Hotel, offering 300 rooms and glamorous décor to those who visited.
The hotel operations ended in 1970, at which time it was converted into an apartment building with retail space on the ground floor. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of HuntingtonƵs tallest buildings.
