04/13/2026
NECAC cuts ribbon for senior apartments in Moberly
NECAC and its construction partners cut the ribbon March 19 on the $22 million repurposing of the former Moberly Junior High School to the 40-unit Tannehill Senior Apartments.
The development at 101 N. Johnson at the west end of downtown features units of one or two bedrooms with major appliances for income-qualifying people ages 55 and older.
A large crowd made up of people who will live there, former students and area government and community representatives attended.
NECAC President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Page highlighted the transition and conversion of the building from school to housing, and noted that many of the residents attended classes there.
“There are people who have known this building in its past,” Page said. “There are people who are going to know this building in its future. There are people who are going to sit in these apartments, having dinner, watching ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and then step out into the hallways where, 30 years ago, they complained to their friends about their algebra homework.”
Moberly Mayor Brandon Lucas praised the development as yet another feather in the city’s cap, noting that housing is vital to community growth.
“When we invest in places where people live, we build stability, we build pride and we’re building the next chapter of the City of Moberly,” Lucas said.
Developer Ken Nuernberger said discussions for the project began 10 years ago after eight other attempts at redevelopment failed.
“It may have taken a decade to do, but it’s going to be a wonderful place to have retirement and it’s at the heart of Moberly, and that’s what I like,” Nuernberger said. “It’s not out on the outskirts, it’s right here. You can walk to church, shops, all kinds of things.”
Thirty-eight of the apartments have been leased, with move-ins starting in the next week. Applications are still being taken to establish a waiting list. Units are for very low-income residents making $16,250 or less (one person) and low-income residents making up to $32,520 (one person). Some market-rate units for seniors with higher incomes are available.
NECAC and its construction partners were awarded federal tax credits and Missouri HOME program dollars in December 2020 to finance the work. Construction was delayed due to the COVID pandemic and resulting higher costs for materials. Ground was broken in March 2024.
The main portion of the former junior high was built in 1930. It was last used for classes in 1997. The oldest part of the structure was an auditorium that dated to 1917 and was demolished with the gymnasium in 2018.
J.W. Ballinger of the Randolph County Historical Society brought back memories for some in the crowd when he mentioned a few of the staff who had taught at the school, and offered a recollection from his student days there.
“There were things we were required to know,” Ballinger said. “And one of them was on a sign (between) the first floor and the gymnasium. We all had to memorize it, and it said: ‘For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.’”
Among others attending were Randolph County Commissioner and NECAC Board Member Jason Lowry; Randolph County Commissioner Austin Kyser; Moberly City Council member Sarah Graff, representing U.S. Rep. Sam Graves; Brandt Lucas, representing State Rep. Ed Lewis; Brad Reiff of Midwest Housing Equity; Noel McKay and Audrey Manners Smith of Horizon Housing Foundation; Courtney Bullard and Will Neville of the Missouri Housing Development Commission; Maranda Dollich of the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce; Kaylee Paffrath of the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation; Brian Williams of Caring Communities; Scott McGarvey and Tom Sanders of the City of Moberly; Tracy Branham, Debbie Phegley, Debbie Nannemann and Wayne Williams of Sustainable Management; Steven Wright of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Hannibal City Councilman Mike Fleetwood; Cameron White of Altman Charter Company; NECAC Randolph County Service Coordinator Tiffanie Anthes; and former NECAC Randolph County Coordinator Patsy Redding.
In addition to the apartments, NECAC, the Randolph County Caring Communities Partnership and the Horizon Housing Foundation will provide ongoing social services. A tribute to hometown hero Gen. Omar Bradley is planned in the basement of the facility.
Since 1997, NECAC has been a partner in the construction, renovation, management or planned development of more than 1,300 apartments and homes for the elderly, families and the disabled in 27 Missouri communities. The developments represent an investment of more than $90 million in the development of quality, affordable housing.
More information about applying for a Tannehill apartment is available by calling NECAC at 573-324-6622.
CUTLINE FOR PHOTO:
NECAC, ND Consulting and their development partners cut the ribbon March 19 on the 40-unit Tannehill Senior Apartments in downtown Moberly. Residents are expected to begin moving into the former junior high school in the next week.
