Polo Club Park is an affordable housing development for seniors (55+) in Lexington, Kentucky. The four-story, 24-unit apartment building was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, January 18. Lexington officials, including Mayor Linda Gorton and Councilmembers Kathy Plomin and Dave Sevigny, and Johan Graham, president of the developer, AU Associates, spoke at the event.
Polo Club Park includes 13 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom apartments, about a quarter of which were already leased by the grand opening. Two units accommodate individuals with hearing impairment and four of the units accommodate individuals with physical disabilities. Each unit features Energy Star appliances, modern cabinetry and fixtures, and washer and dryer hookups. The amenities include a fitness center, two laundry rooms, a community room, and close proximity to public transportation.
“The new apartments we’re opening today are exciting for a couple of reasons,” said Gorton. “First, these affordable apartments are for seniors, something that Lexington really needs, and if you have been watching the news lately, we know that worldwide senior population is increasing all around the world. Second, they are located here in the Hamburg area, meeting another need.”
Mohamed Irvin is one of the residents. For most of the last 10 years, he lived with his now-12-year-old service dog Daisy in a duplex on the city's northeast side. The backyard was big, he said, which Daisy loved, but drugs had become a problem on his street. “I had to get away,” he said. “I wasn’t happy at all.” When he thought seriously about moving, he set his sights on Hamburg, a neighborhood that he had lived in over a decade ago. “You couldn’t ask for anything better,” he said. “This is a good part of town.” He moved into his apartment January 17. “I love it already,” he said, adding that everyone he has met so far loves Daisy.
This is only the second such building for seniors in Lexington’s District 12. The other is The Oasis at Kearney Creek, also developed by AU Associates, which opened in 2021.
Kentucky Housing Corporation provided $374,400 in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that resulted in a $3.3 million investment from the Community Affordable Housing Equity Corporation. The total cost of the project was over $5.65 million.
Currently, said Gorton, 846 affordable apartment units are under construction in Lexington.
Photos by Steve Morrow