Photo courtesy of East Shore Photography
Avesta Housing, its partners and members of the Kennebunk community recently celebrated the grand opening of Park Street School, a new affordable housing community for seniors located in the historic school building. Avesta Housing is the largest nonprofit developer in northern New England. Its mission is to promote and provide housing opportunities for Southern Maine people in need. Avesta rehabilitated the Park Street School and built an addition to create 30 apartments for people 62 and older or disabled.
Gail Kingsley Wolfahrt, a partner at Libby O’Brien Kingsley & Champion, LLC, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event held on November 9, 2012. Gail has served on the Board of Directors for Avesta Housing for the past six years and is the immediate past Chairperson. She is also the only member of the board who resides in Kennebunk.
The Park Street School, which was built in 1921 and closed in 2005, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Avesta retained and rehabilitated a number of the building’s historic features, including its brick façade, chalkboards, coat closets, slate floors, interior glass-paned doors, and interior and exterior windows. In addition to the apartments, the building features a large community room and kitchen, a hair salon, a media room and a library. A community garden organized by the Town will be located on the property next year, and Avesta has entered into a partnership with Heartwood College of Art in Kennebunk to display locally made art in the community space at the Park Street School.
Gail Kingsley Wolfahrt is pleased to have served on Avesta’s board during the Park Street School project and to have participated in this wonderful community event celebrating the opening of the renovated building.