Renaissance Village Complete In McDowell County

Work has been completed on a McDowell County housing project Renaissance Village, a multistory building located in Welch and one of the top priorities of the Reconnecting McDowell effort is ready for occupancy.

American Federation of Teachers President Fred Albert said the four-story building was completed recently. He said the ongoing pandemic prevented officials from holding a ceremony to celebrate. Construction on the project began last September.

Reconnecting McDowell, which is a private-public partnership that began in 2011 to improve public education in McDowell County, determined one of its top priorities was to provide housing for teachers and public workers.

There are a total of 16 apartments on the top two floors.

Space on the first floor will be leased out.

Renaissance Village is the first new multi-story building in downtown Welch in more than 50 years.