The historic site of the Gillespie-Selden Institute, a complex of education and medical buildings that first opened as a school for African-American children in 1902 has graduated to its next chapter. The site in Cordele, a rural town in south GeorgiaOver the past few decades, the State of Georgia has gone from being primarily an agricultural region to being an international crossroads and one of the most influential regions of the Southeast. Now ... More, also included two hospitals and a church in addition to the school.

“[The site] is approaching 125 years, but it had fallen into disrepair, and the city had been really trying to turn it around,” says Patrick McWhirt, chief creative officer at Vecino Group. “They had been working since about 2008 to get something going. These types of developments are very hard and take a lot of effort. It takes a team.”

The redevelopment of the site included the adaptive reuse of four buildings, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the new construction of a three-story building designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood. The historic buildings, which had served different uses, were upgraded with modern systems while still providing character with vaulted ceilings and intricate woodwork.

In keeping with the legacy of the site, Blackshear Place Center provides an after-school tutoring program for students who are residents at the community. Another amenity for the residents is a newly built garden with four raised beds. Households can volunteer to tend the gardens as well as distribute vegetables throughout the property.

“These buildings continue to provide for the community,” says Wesley Brown, director of development, Southeast, for Vecino Group.

The $16 million development was financed with state and federal low-income housing and historic tax creditsA reduction in tax liability. Benefits an owner of a property claims under the low-income housing tax credit program. More. Enterprise Housing Credit Investments provided the equity for the federal credits, while Cabretta Capital provided the state credit equity. In addition, M1 Bank provided a construction loan.

Completed in November 2024, the opening of Gillespie Gardens was a major celebration for the community, with school alumni returning to speak.

“It’s an important site not just for the city and state but for African-American history,” adds McWhirt. “The community wanted everyone to know this projectAll of the buildings included in a group at a housing development for compliance purposes, as indicated on each building’s form 8609 line 8b. The default is that each building is a separate project ... More was done and all are welcome here.”