Affordable Housing Project at former Transylvania Baseball Field Secures $10 Million
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Marquard Field, a locus of memories for local baseball fans, is about to witness a complete transformation as it pivots from sports to social impact. The former baseball field, which had been home to Pioneers baseball for almost two decades, will soon become the site of an affordable housing project that has just secured a critical investment of $10 million from the state’s one-time budget.
A Game Changer for Affordable Housing in Lexington
Termed a “field of dreams” for affordable housing by Darryl Neher, CEO of the Lexington Habitat for Humanity, the project aims to provide housing solutions for families earning 30% to 80% of the city’s median income. “Affordable housing is a burning issue across the country,” stated Neher. “The escalating market prices have all but erased the idea of starter homes. This initiative could be a real game changer.”
A Historic Purchase & a Collaborative Venture
The project has been made possible by the collective effort of several banks that came together to purchase the land from Transylvania University for $2.8 million in January. This unique purchase has paved the way for a collaborative initiative of local affordable housing developers, including the Lexington Habitat for Humanity, to design and construct homes for both rental and ownership.
“The project is a beacon of hope,” said Neher. “This 12.5-acre location is a unicorn – a rare find of buildable land. It’s via such collaborative dreams and efforts that we can make a more substantial impact on the affordable housing situation.”
A Fight Since 1985
The Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County, steadfast in its fight for housing access since 1985, is one of the notable partners in this venture. According to the League’s president, PG Peeples, the organization has been pivotal in building or renovating safe homes around Lexington. “The need for affordable housing is not new. However, the community’s focused attention towards it certainly is,” shares Peeples. “Where other parts of Kentucky found difficulty acquiring land, we were able to clear the hurdle with our banking partners. We hope this serves as a replicable model within the commonwealth.”
Looking Towards the Future
The project’s official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the summer of 2025. Until 2019, Marquard Field remained an active sports field, hosting numerous baseball games since its opening in 1999. Today, while the Pioneers team practices at the Legends Field, hopes are high that their former home field will continue to serve the community, albeit in a vastly different, yet equally vital, social capacity.
