A long vacant school property on Donnie Simmons Way is seeing new life thanks to a housing development years in the making. Bryant’s Landing, located at the site of the former Julia P. Bryant Elementary School at 400 Donnie Simmons Way, recently opened its leasing office and is already drawing interest.
But the story behind the project is about more than bricks and beams; it’s about revitalizing neighborhoods, restoring forgotten spaces, and providing affordable, quality housing for some of Statesboro’s most overlooked citizens.
Backed by a successful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) application and guided by a public-private partnership involving the City of Statesboro, the Bulloch County Board of Education, and developer Bill Gross of W.H. Gross Construction, Bryant’s Landing has transformed a site with historical and emotional weight into a place seniors can now call home.
Tara Friedman, Regional Manager for Southeast Georgia and Coastal South Carolina with Fairway Management, the group overseeing leasing and property management, shared insight into the philosophy behind the project.
“We just want to leave something better than we found it,” Friedman said. “This is what Bill [Gross] really believes in, turning what was once a burden or an eyesore into something that brings pride and life back to a community.”
Julia P. Bryant Elementary was once a cornerstone of the community. But after the school closed, its buildings stood largely unused, at one point hosting Rebecca’s Café and the Statesboro Food Bank, until a long-term vision for the land finally gained traction in 2021. Gross, based in Kingsland, Georgia, applied for LIHTC funding through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The first attempt missed the cut, but with the help of a key intergovernmental agreement between the City and the Bulloch County Board of Education, Gross secured tax credit approval in late 2022. The Board of Education agreed to sell a portion of the land for $400,000, while the City helped secure a 50-year ground lease to boost project viability. Construction began shortly afterward, with both new construction and historical rehab taking place across the site.
Bryant’s Landing is a tax-credit, limited-rent apartment community specifically for adults aged 55 and older. All 51 units have a mix of one and two bedroom apartments that are designed for accessibility and ease, featuring ground floor access only (no elevators or stairs) and modern amenities meant to serve mature residents.
Monthly rents range from approximately $724 for a one bedroom to $868 for a two bedroom, with income qualifications tied to the LIHTC program. While often confused with income-based housing, Friedman clarified that LIHTC properties operate differently.
“Our rent isn’t based on a percentage of your income,” she explained. “Instead, you have to fall under a certain income cap to qualify. For example, a two-person household might need to make under $37,200. But once you qualify and sign a lease, your rent won’t change just because your income changes later.”
Rent includes maintenance, landscaping, and pest control, services many homeowners might otherwise shoulder alone. Utilities, however, are not included in the monthly rate.
Fairway Management has already approved over a dozen applicants, with more being processed from a waitlist that began nearly a year ago. With more than 300 people initially expressing interest, the leasing process is highly competitive. Friedman emphasized that safety, dignity, and a sense of community are central to what makes Bryant’s Landing different.
“It’s not just about offering rent at a decent price, it’s about giving folks peace of mind,” she said. “If your dishwasher breaks or you have termites, that’s not something you’re worrying about paying out of pocket. We handle it.”
The development also includes shared amenities like a computer lab (where residents can print social security letters, medical paperwork, or just stay connected), a fitness center with low-impact exercise equipment, and sidewalks for safe, in-community walking. The management team is also on-site during the day to address resident needs, whether it’s a maintenance issue or a concern about a neighbor not following lease rules.
“The hope is that it’s quiet, safe, and supportive,” Friedman said. “You don’t have to worry about someone throwing parties next door. And even if folks don’t become best friends, they still look out for each other. They notice if someone hasn’t opened their blinds or picked up a note left on the door. It becomes a little village in that way.”
The initial 51 units are just the beginning. Phase Two, already approved,(possible Summer construction) will include roughly 50 units of family housing, built on the former football field adjacent to the current property. This phase will open the door to working families who fall into the same income eligibility brackets but need housing outside the senior-specific model.
A potential Phase Three is also in the discussion phase, which could bring another 50 units to the area, depending on zoning and community input. If all three phases come to fruition, Bryant’s Landing would offer a total of 151 affordable housing units, all within walking distance of schools, churches, and public services.
Friedman noted that for family housing, even if a resident earns more over time, they won’t be penalized or forced out. “The tax credit model doesn’t punish people for doing better in life,” she said. “Once you qualify and move in, you’re qualified. That kind of stability matters.”
Affordable housing has become a critical issue in Statesboro and across Georgia. Mayor Jonathan McCollar and other city officials have expressed strong support for Bryant’s Landing and what it represents. “There’s a sector of our community that easily gets missed, they’re not low-income enough for income-based housing, but they also can’t afford $2,000 a month in rent,” Friedman said. “This project bridges that gap.”
Residents must be 55 or older to live in Phase One. Applicants can add themselves to the waitlist by calling 912-417-3554 or visiting fairwaymanagement.com.
As Bryant’s Landing fills up with residents, it represents more than new construction — it’s a sign of revitalization and thoughtful development. From a closed-down school to a vibrant, purpose-built neighborhood, the project captures a core goal that Friedman says guides every community she and her team work on: “We don’t want to build something people are proud of just for a year,” she said. “We want it to be something they’re still proud of in 20 years.”
