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Storyline · 20 events · 1996 – Jun 25, 2026

The Commons at St. Anthony's: redevelopment of the former St. Anthony's Hospital (2019-2026)

Quick answers

What is the latest on St. Anthony's redevelopment?
Jun 25, 2026: The Commons at St. Anthony's opens with about 25% of its 124 apartments occupied. KFDA and KVII reported on June 25, 2026 that The Commons at St. Anthony's at 725 N. Polk St. had opened as apartments for adults 55 and older earning 60% or less of area median income, with studios and one- and two-bedroom units. Read the event
How far back does this record of St. Anthony's redevelopment go?
To about 1996: St. Anthony's Hospital merges with High Plains Baptist Hospital; the downtown building later closes. The storyline has 20 dated events in all. Read the event

A 124-unit affordable senior apartment development opened in June 2026 in the former hospital building at Amarillo Boulevard and Polk Street, vacant for about two decades, after the City Council approved property tax rebates and $1,050,000 in ARPA funds for the project in 2022. The Commons at St. Anthony's occupies the former St. Anthony's Hospital, which opened in 1901 as the first hospital in Potter County, merged with High Plains Baptist Hospital in 1996 and later closed. In 2019 and 2020 the council backed a state housing tax credit application for the conversion, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs awarded 9% housing tax credits in July 2020. After construction prices rose, the council on February 22, 2022 voted 5-0 for a Chapter 380 agreement: a 10-year, 100% rebate of City property taxes, $1,050,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and an $88,098 permit fee refund, contingent on Potter County approving its share. Potter County approved its own 10-year rebate and $500,000 in ARPA funds. In June 2022 the council split the deal into two agreements, one with the ownership partnership St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LP and one with the nonprofit Crossroads Housing Development Corporation. Ground was broken on August 12, 2022. The opening, first targeted for summer 2024, was delayed; the City and Potter County extended completion deadlines in 2025 and 2026.

A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines

Where the story starts depends on the framing

  1. · Context

    St. Anthony's Hospital merges with High Plains Baptist Hospital; the downtown building later closes

    St. Anthony's Hospital opened in 1901 as the first hospital in Potter County and housed the Panhandle's first school of nursing in 1909. It merged with High Plains Baptist Hospital in 1996 and operations gradually moved to the Baptist campus in west Amarillo. News reports give the closing year of the St. Anthony's site as 2001 or 2004. The building then sat vacant.[1][2][3]

    • ✓ Verified

      St. Anthony's Hospital opened in 1901 as the first hospital in Potter County and housed the Panhandle's first school of nursing in 1909. It merged with High Plains Baptist Hospital in 1996, and operations gradually moved to the Baptist campus. [1][2]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      News reports give different years for the closing of the St. Anthony's Hospital site.

      Reported value 1[1]

      Year
      2,001

      KVII (August 2022) says the hospital closed in 2001.

      Reported value 2[3][2]

      Year
      2,004

      The Amarillo Globe-News (August 2022) says it closed in 2004; KAMR (June 2026) says the site sat vacant after closing in 2004.

  2. · Origin

    City Council backs a state housing tax credit application for The Commons at St. Anthony's

    KFDA reported that on February 5, 2019 the Amarillo City Council backed an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for an affordable housing tax credit for The Commons at St. Anthony's, then described as 125 rent- and income-controlled units mainly for elderly residents. The applicant at that time was the St. Anthony's Legacy and Redevelopment Corporation.[4]

    Andrew Freeman

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported that on February 5, 2019 the City Council backed an application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for an affordable housing tax credit for The Commons at St. Anthony's, described as 125 units, mainly for elderly residents, with rents and incomes controlled. The developer named then was the St. Anthony's Legacy and Redevelopment Corporation, and construction was expected to start in March 2020. [4]

  3. · Precursor

    Council again supports the housing tax credit application, adding points for the project

    KFDA reported in January 2020 that the City Council had approved designating the project for a low-income housing tax credit application, which added points to the application under the state's scoring system, and that TDHCA would decide in July. The project's backers had received the building as a donation.[5]

    Andrew Freeman

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported in January 2020 that the City Council's approval designating the project for the low-income housing tax credit program earned the application points under the state's scoring system, and that TDHCA would decide on the credit in July. Andrew Freeman, then the City's director of planning and development, said the board's donated property led to the senior housing plan. [5]

  4. · Precursor

    TDHCA board approves 9% housing tax credits for The Commons at St. Anthony's

    The board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs approved housing tax credits for the project on July 23, 2020, according to KVII. City staff memos later described it as a 2020 award of 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits. KVII named KRS Housing, LLC of Austin, whose managing member is former U.S. Representative Kent Hance, and The Commonwealth Companies of Wisconsin as the developers.[6][7]

    KRS Housing, LLCThe Commonwealth Companies (Commonwealth Development)

    • ✓ Verified

      KVII reported that the TDHCA board approved housing tax credits for The Commons at St. Anthony's on July 23, 2020, with construction expected to start in spring 2021 and units available in summer 2022. City staff memos describe it as a 2020 award of 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits. [6][7]

    • ✓ Verified

      KVII named KRS Housing, LLC of Austin and The Commonwealth Companies of Wisconsin as the developers, with former U.S. Representative and Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance as KRS Housing's managing member, and the St. Anthony Legacy & Redevelopment Corp. as a supporter of the project. [6]

  5. · Context

    St. Anthony's Hospital is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

    The National Park Service's National Register data lists St. Anthony's Hospital, 200 NW 7th Ave., Potter County, as listed on January 14, 2021 (reference 100006047).[8]

    • ✓ Verified

      The National Register of Historic Places data lists "St. Anthony's Hospital," 200 NW 7th Ave., Potter County, reference 100006047, as listed on January 14, 2021. [8]

  6. · Precursor

    State housing trust fund money fills a $2 million gap; developers buy the property in December

    City staff wrote that construction was first expected to start in summer 2021, but pricing then left a $2 million gap. TDHCA allocated National Housing Trust Fund money to the project on October 22, 2021, and the developers closed on buying the property from the North Heights Advisory Association on December 3, 2021.[7]

    North Heights Advisory Association

    • ✓ Verified

      Sources describe the property passing by donation before the sale to the developers: KFDA (2020) reported that the St. Anthony's board received it as a donation; the Globe-News (2022) reported that the North Heights Advisory Association received it as a donation; Potter County's Treasury project description says the facility was "donated by the hospital district." City staff wrote that the developers bought the property from the North Heights Advisory Association on December 3, 2021. [5][3][9][7]

    • ✓ Verified

      City staff wrote that construction was originally projected to start in summer 2021, that pricing received then showed a $2 million gap, and that TDHCA allocated National Housing Trust Fund money to the project on October 22, 2021, which allowed it to move forward. [7]

      Gap
      $2,000,000

  7. · Related development

    Potter County approves a 10-year tax rebate and $500,000 in ARPA funds

    According to City staff memos, Potter County approved, in February 2022 as the City did, a rebate of 100% of annual property taxes for ten years and $500,000 of the county's ARPA funds for the project.[10]

    • ✓ Verified

      City staff wrote that "the City Council and Potter County both approved property tax rebates and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding" for the project in February 2022, that both approved 100% annual property tax rebates for ten years, and that "Potter County will provide $500,000 in ARPA dollars." [10][11]

      County arpa
      $500,000

  8. · Trigger

    Developers ask the City and Potter County to close a new funding gap

    City staff wrote that construction prices rose 27% from summer 2021 to January 2022, leaving the project short again, and that the developer asked the City and Potter County for help. On February 14, 2022 the Potter County Commissioners Court discussed the request without a decision. KFDA reported options that combined property tax rebates or abatements (about $152,470), about $300,000 from the North Heights neighborhood plan funds, and more than $1.5 million in federal ARPA money from the City and the county.[12][7]

    Freda PowellThe Commonwealth Companies (Commonwealth Development)

    • ✓ Verified

      City staff wrote that from summer 2021 to January 2022 the project's construction pricing rose 27%, with the major trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC and drywall) up 18% on average, leaving a new funding shortfall, and that the developer asked the City and Potter County for help through property tax rebates, building permit fee waivers, ARPA funds and the City's North Heights neighborhood plan funding. [7]

      Price increase
      27%
      Major trades increase
      18%
    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported that the Potter County Commissioners Court discussed the request on February 14, 2022 without deciding, and that the options combined property tax rebates or abatements (about $152,470), about $300,000 from the North Heights neighborhood improvement funds and more than $1.5 million in ARPA money from the City and the county, against a shortfall of about $2 million in a project described as costing $30 million. [12]

  9. · Starting point

    Council approves a Chapter 380 agreement with a 10-year tax rebate and $1,050,000 in ARPA funds, 5-0

    The City Council voted 5-0 to approve a Chapter 380 agreement for the Commons at St. Anthony's project: a rebate of 100% of annual City property taxes for ten years, $1,050,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds (75% paid during construction and 25% after a certificate of occupancy) and a refund of $88,098 in permit fees. Councilmember Freda Powell amended her motion to make the agreement contingent on Potter County approving its portion. The agenda named Commonwealth Development as the other party.[13][7]

    Ginger NelsonFreda PowellEddy SauerHoward SmithCole StanleyAndrew FreemanThe Commonwealth Companies (Commonwealth Development)

    • ✓ Verified

      The council approved a Chapter 380 agreement for the Commons at St. Anthony's project "with 100% of annual property taxes rebated for ten years; $1,050,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds with 75% paid during construction and 25% paid after a certificate of occupancy is received; and a refund on paid permitting fees related to the project in the amount of $88,098." [13]

      Arpa
      $1,050,000
      Permit fee refund
      $88,098
      Tax rebate
      100%
    • ✓ Verified

      Assistant City Manager Andrew Freeman and Councilmember Freda Powell presented the item. Powell moved to approve, seconded by Councilmember Eddy Sauer, then amended her motion to make the agreement "contingent upon Potter County passing their portion of the proposal." It passed 5-0, with Mayor Ginger Nelson and Councilmembers Powell, Sauer, Howard Smith and Cole Stanley voting aye. [13]

    • ✓ Verified

      The agenda listed the item as a Chapter 380 agreement "between the City of Amarillo and Commonwealth Development" for an affordable 124-unit senior independent living apartment building on the east end of the St. Anthony's Hospital building. The staff memo said construction would exceed $30 million and placed the item on the agenda for the council "to give direction and take possible action on the various requests." [7]

    • ✓ Verified

      Staff memos described American Rescue Plan funds as qualifying "for affordable housing." The minutes record no other stated reason for choosing ARPA money for this project. [7][13]

  10. · Related development

    Council approves two Chapter 380 agreements, one with the ownership partnership and one with Crossroads Housing

    On its consent agenda, approved 5-0, the council approved two Chapter 380 agreements for the Commons at St. Anthony's, an affordable 124-unit independent-living apartment building for seniors on the east end of the hospital building. Staff wrote that the developers had added a nonprofit partner, Crossroads Housing Development Corporation, and asked that the tax rebate and permit refund go to St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LP and the ARPA funds to Crossroads; the terms did not change.[14][10]

    Ginger NelsonFreda PowellEddy SauerHoward SmithCole StanleyAndrew FreemanSt. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LPCrossroads Housing Development Corporation

    • ✓ Verified

      Staff wrote that the developers restructured their team, adding a nonprofit partner, Crossroads Housing Development Corporation, and asked that the property tax rebate and building permit refund be with St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LP and the ARPA funding with Crossroads. "Other than now having two agreements in place, the terms have not changed." The memo for the Crossroads agreement says funding would come through an ARPA grant. [10]

    • ✓ Verified

      Both agreements were on the June 14, 2022 consent agenda, approved 5-0 on a motion by Councilmember Powell, seconded by Councilmember Smith, with Mayor Nelson and Councilmembers Powell, Sauer, Smith and Stanley voting aye. [14]

    • ✓ Verified

      The 2025 amendment states that the City's agreement with Crossroads Housing Development Corporation took effect July 18, 2022. [11]

  11. · Related development

    City check register records a $875,598 payment to St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing

    The City's check register records one payment of $875,598.00 on August 11, 2022 to the payee "ST ANTHONYS AMARILLO HOUSING 2". The register does not tie payments to projects. No other payment to that payee or to Crossroads Housing appears through May 2026.[15]

    St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LP

    • ✓ Verified

      The City's check register records one payment of $875,598.00 on August 11, 2022 (check 458865) to "ST ANTHONYS AMARILLO HOUSING 2", and no other payment to that payee or to Crossroads Housing between July 2022 and May 2026. The register does not identify the project or agreement a payment funded. The amount equals 75% of $1,050,000 ($787,500) plus $88,098 (arithmetic). [15]

      Total
      $875,598
      Payments
      1

      See the payments in the check register →

  12. · Related development

    Ground is broken for The Commons at St. Anthony's

    KRS Housing, LLC, whose president is Kent Hance, held a groundbreaking on August 12, 2022 for 124 affordable rental units for seniors, with opening scheduled for summer 2024. U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson, Mayor Ginger Nelson and Mayor Pro Tem Freda Powell attended or spoke, according to news reports. The state accessibility registration lists a July 25, 2022 start date and an estimated cost of $23,667,000.[16][1][3][17]

    Ginger NelsonFreda PowellKRS Housing, LLC

    • ✓ Verified

      KRS Housing, LLC, whose president is Kent Hance, held the groundbreaking on August 12, 2022 for 124 affordable rental units for seniors, with community gathering areas, fitness and business centers, courtyards and gardens, and an opening scheduled for summer 2024. [1][16]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Sources give different costs for the project.

      Reported value 1[16]

      Amount
      $20,000,000

      Renovation cost reported by KFDA at the groundbreaking (August 2022).

      Reported value 2[3]

      Amount
      $21,000,000

      Total cost reported by the Amarillo Globe-News at the groundbreaking (August 2022).

      Reported value 3[17]

      Amount
      $23,667,000

      Estimated cost on the state accessibility (TDLR TABS) registration.

      Reported value 4[7][12]

      Amount
      $30,000,000

      City staff (February 2022) said construction "will exceed $30MM"; KFDA (February 2022) called it a $30 million project.

      Reported value 5[18][19]

      Amount
      $40,000,000

      Cost reported at the opening (June 2026).

    • ✓ Verified

      The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation registration TABS2023010328 lists the owner as St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LP of Austin, the scope as converting a former hospital into a 124-unit senior housing facility (251,036 square feet), a start date of July 25, 2022, a completion date of December 31, 2025 and an estimated cost of $23,667,000, with status "Inspection Complete." [17]

      Estimated cost
      $23,667,000

  13. · Context

    Construction is under way, with completion expected in summer 2024

    KFDA reported construction under way on 124 units for residents over 55 earning less than 60% of area median income, with completion expected in summer 2024. The report said National Park Service approval was needed for federal historic tax credits.[20]

    KRS Housing, LLCThe Commonwealth Companies (Commonwealth Development)

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported in March 2023 that National Park Service approval was needed for federal historic tax credits; the Globe-News reported in August 2022 that Hance called federal tax credits for using a historic building a major boost. [20][3]

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported in March 2023 that the 124 units would be for residents over 55 earning less than 60% of the median income, that completion was expected in summer 2024, and that the building, no longer tax-exempt hospital property, would pay property taxes to Amarillo ISD, the City and Potter County. [20]

  14. · Related development

    Council extends the completion deadline in both agreements to December 31, 2025

    On its consent agenda, approved 5-0, the council adopted Resolutions 04-22-25-11 and 04-22-25-12 amending the Crossroads and St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LP agreements so that the project must receive a certificate of occupancy by December 31, 2025. Staff wrote that a 120-day administrative extension had already moved the deadline to April 30, 2025, that the generator and switch gear arrived in March and January 2025, and that the developer expected a certificate of occupancy at the end of August 2025.[21][11]

    Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes SimpsonAndrew FreemanSt. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LPCrossroads Housing Development Corporation

    • ✓ Verified

      Resolutions 04-22-25-11 (Crossroads) and 04-22-25-12 (St. Anthony's Amarillo Housing 20, LP) amended the agreements so the improvements must be completed and receive a certificate of occupancy by December 31, 2025. Staff wrote that the developers had asked for August 31, 2025 and staff recommended December 31 for flexibility. [11]

    • ✓ Verified

      Staff wrote that a 120-day administrative extension had moved the deadline to April 30, 2025; that delays in delivering electrical components and labor shortages had slowed the work; that the switch gear arrived in January 2025 and the generator in March 2025; and that a temporary certificate of occupancy might be possible by June 30, 2025, with the certificate of occupancy at the end of August. [11]

    • ✓ Verified

      Items 9.V and 9.W were on the April 22, 2025 consent agenda, approved 5-0 on a motion by Councilmember Don Tipps, seconded by Councilmember Josh Craft, with Mayor Cole Stanley and Councilmembers Craft, Tipps, Tom Scherlen and Les Simpson voting aye. [21]

  15. · Related development

    Potter County supports a request for about $8.3 million in federal HUD funds for the project

    KFDA reported on May 27, 2025 that Potter County commissioners voted to support a request by U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for more than $8 million to offset unexpected costs, which the developers attributed to mold and asbestos problems. The report gave an October target for opening.[22]

    KRS Housing, LLC

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported that Potter County commissioners voted to support U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson's request to HUD for more than $8 million in federal funds for the project, that the restoration cost was $8.3 million, and that developers said mold and asbestos problems were worse than expected. The outcome of the request was not found. [22]

      Requested
      $8,300,000

  16. · Related development

    Potter County extends its deadline to December 31 and adds $30,000 in ARPA funds

    KFDA reported that Potter County commissioners extended the project's construction deadline to December 31, 2025 and agreed to contribute $30,000 more in ARPA funds. Developers cited the need to replace the building's elevators.[23]

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported that Potter County commissioners extended the construction deadline to December 31, 2025 and agreed to give $30,000 in ARPA funds to the project. Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner said the money was left over and would otherwise go back to the state. Developers cited the need to replace the building's elevators. [23]

      County added arpa
      $30,000

  17. · Related development

    Construction nears completion; Potter County approves a final extension of its recovery funds

    KFDA reported on December 15, 2025 that most exterior work was done and electrical work remained, that Potter County commissioners approved one final extension of the fiscal recovery funds used for the building, and that a public grand opening was planned for February 2026.[24]

    • ✓ Verified

      Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner: KFDA reported on December 15, 2025 that most exterior construction was finished and electrical work remained, that commissioners approved one final extension of the fiscal recovery funds used for the building, and that a public grand opening was planned for February 2026. Judge Tanner said, "They had some issues, but they got them straightened out." [24]

  18. · Related development

    Potter County moves the certificate-of-occupancy deadline to April 1, 2026

    KFDA reported that Potter County extended the deadline for the project to obtain a certificate of occupancy from December 31, 2025 to April 1, 2026, after supply chain problems and delays in permanently powering the building. Units were already available for lease.[25]

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported on February 24, 2026 that Potter County moved the project's deadline to secure a certificate of occupancy from December 31 to April 1, 2026, after supply chain problems and delays in permanently powering the building, and that units were already available for lease. [25]

  19. · Context

    Potter County reports $675,000 of its ARPA funds spent on the St. Anthony's project

    In Treasury's published data for January 1 to March 31, 2026, Potter County lists "St. Anthony's Low-Income Housing" (affordable housing) with $828,094.81 obligated and $675,000 spent, marked "Completed 50% or more." The City of Amarillo's 26 projects in the same data include none named for St. Anthony's.[9]

    Crossroads Housing Development Corporation

    • ✓ Verified

      Potter County's project "St. Anthony's Low-Income Housing" (TPN-108141, category 2.15 Long-Term Housing Security: Affordable Housing) shows $828,094.81 in cumulative obligations and $675,000 in cumulative expenditures as of March 31, 2026. Its description says Crossroads Housing Development Corporation is converting the hospital into affordable senior housing with 124 units "ready for occupancy prior to Dec. 31, 2026," and that "Potter County and the City of Amarillo have committed a portion of their SLFRF funding" to the project. [9]

      Obligations
      $828,095
      Expenditures
      $675,000
    • ✓ Verified

      None of the City of Amarillo's 26 projects in the same Treasury data is named for St. Anthony's or described as affordable housing; the largest is "Revenue Replacement" ($25,518,919), described as used "for provision of government services." The data does not show which City project, if any, carried the $1,050,000 approved for this project. [9]

  20. · Resolution

    The Commons at St. Anthony's opens with about 25% of its 124 apartments occupied

    KFDA and KVII reported on June 25, 2026 that The Commons at St. Anthony's at 725 N. Polk St. had opened as apartments for adults 55 and older earning 60% or less of area median income, with studios and one- and two-bedroom units. Owner Kent Hance said about 25% of the apartments were occupied. KFDA reported rents of $300 to $900 a month. KAMR, citing a release, named KRS Housing, LLC, The Commonwealth Companies and Crossroads Housing Development Corporation as the developers.[18][19][2]

    KRS Housing, LLCThe Commonwealth Companies (Commonwealth Development)Crossroads Housing Development Corporation

    • ✓ Verified

      KFDA reported on June 25, 2026 that The Commons at St. Anthony's, 725 N. Polk St., had officially opened with 124 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments for adults 55 and older, rents of $300 to $900 a month, and about 25% of apartments occupied, according to owner Kent Hance. KVII reported that residents must earn 60% or less of area median income. [18][19]

      Units
      124
      Occupied
      25%
    • ✓ Verified

      KAMR, citing a release, reported a ribbon-cutting for the project and named KRS Housing, LLC, The Commonwealth Companies and Crossroads Housing Development Corporation as its developers. [2]

    • ✓ Verified

      Kent Hance, owner: Hance said of the tax-credit program, "This allows people that have low income to have a nice place to live." [18][19]