HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Interfaith Housing and Community Services (IHCS) in Hutchinson is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for Southern Pines Townhomes on the southwest corner of Avenue G and Plum this Friday. The event starts at 11 a.m. and is open to the public.

According to officials with the organization, Gene Schmidt, former CEO of Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, and his wife, Kay, came to IHCS in 2018 with a vision for a senior housing project in the Lincoln School neighborhood.

Southern Pines will consist of eight, two-bedroom duplex units designated for seniors 55 and older. After months of work by Schmidt, the city, engineering consultants, Landmark Architects, Clint Nelson, and the housing development director for IHCS, construction on the project has begun.

Officials say a percentage of the annual profits from this privately-funded housing project will be invested back into the Lincoln neighborhood in the form of housing rehabilitation or for other neighborhood needs.