"The two buildings went up in the 1920s - a new Gastonia hospital and a state-of-the-art apartment complex.

Time took its toll and the buildings became empty, decaying sentinels.

But a partnership between Gastonia, the buildings' owners, Preservation North Carolina, a Winston-Salem developer and Gaston County is about to transform the two properties.

The city recently announced the latest piece of financing for the project is in place. The N.C. Finance Agency has approved low-income tax credits to help developer The Landmark Group renovate an historic hospital building on North Highland Street.

The Highland Memorial Apartment complex will offer 75 affordable apartments for seniors and persons with disabilities.

In a separate project, the Armstrong Arms Apartment project will create 18 affordable, market-rate, townhome-style apartments in the former Armstrong/Marietta apartment building on the corner of Marietta and Second streets."

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Charlotte Observer (7/10/2011)