01/06/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
đź’Ž This Precious Gem Officially Has a Name
Introducing: The Serenity House – Project #1
Empowerment Community Development Corporation (Empowerment Community Development Corporation) proudly announces that its 2026 newly built home located at 2013 Tennaha Avenue, Tyler, Texas, has officially been named The Serenity House – Project #1.
The name Serenity reflects more than a title; it represents a vision. Serenity means a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled, an inner quiet free from stress, anxiety, or disturbance often sought for healing, recovery, and personal growth. That vision is thoughtfully woven into every aspect of this home.
In real life, Serenity is the five-year-old daughter of Mitchell L. Bell Jr. and ECDC Board Director LaTonia Gaston-Bell. Her joyful spirit and gentle presence inspired the name, grounding this project in family, faith, and the promise of future generations.
The Serenity House - Project #1 is the first home built under ECDC’s transformative “Making Affordable Homes a Reality” initiative created to restore dignity, strengthen neighborhoods, and open pathways to sustainable homeownership across Tyler and East Texas.
Guests and neighbors may even spot this sweet young inspiration standing around 2013 Tennaha Avenue, a living reminder that this home was built with love, purpose, and community at its core.
Why the Serenity House Matters
First completed home in ECDC’s affordable housing initiative
A family-inspired symbol of peace, restoration, and hope
A cornerstone project for neighborhood revitalization
Designed to be both livable and legacy-building
As Project #1, the Serenity House sets the tone for what’s to come homes that are not just affordable, but meaningful; not just structures, but sanctuaries.
Location: 2013 Tennaha Avenue, Tyler, Texas
Initiative: Making Affordable Homes a Reality
Developed by: Empowerment Community Development Corporation
The Serenity House is more than a home, it’s a promise kept, a future protected, and a peaceful beginning.
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🏛️ History of the 2013 Tennaha Avenue Property
Home of the Serenity House – Project #1
The story of 2013 Tennaha Avenue, Tyler, Texas is deeply rooted in Tyler’s early growth and transportation history.
1890 - Origins
According to the Oak Grove Addition plat map dated May 24, 1890, the property was originally plotted at the corner of North Tennaha Avenue and Magnolia Street. At the time, the site sat directly in front of what was then the International and Great Northern Railroad, a major rail line that played a critical role in Tyler’s expansion, commerce, and settlement patterns in the late 19th century.
Circa 1920 - First Home Built
By 1920, the property was purchased by private owners who constructed a modest 854-square-foot home featuring:
2 bedrooms
1 bathroom
Pier-and-beam foundation
Original hardwood flooring
This small home reflected the working-class residential architecture common in rail-adjacent neighborhoods during the early 20th century.
2025 - 2026 - A New Chapter
In 2025, the property was acquired by Empowerment Community Development Corporation (ECDC) as part of its Making Affordable Homes a Reality initiative. After more than a century of service to the community, the original structure reached the end of its lifecycle.
ECDC undertook a 100% complete rebuild, transforming the historic lot into a modern, safe, and dignified home now proudly known as The Serenity House – Project #1.
From Rail Lines to Restoration
What began in 1890 as a plotted lot near the railroad has evolved into a symbol of renewal, peace, and forward-looking community investment. The Serenity House stands as a bridge between Tyler’s past and its future honoring history while delivering hope through affordable housing.
Property: 2013 Tennaha Avenue, Tyler, Texas
Current Name: Serenity House – Project #1
Initiative: Making Affordable Homes a Reality
Steward: Empowerment Community Development Corporation
