‘I want to build homes, families’
Of the St. Louis American
The Ram’s Jimmy Kennedy is a former No. 1 draft pick.
Realtor Mary Johnson’s middle nickname is “One.”
Together, they are giving potential homebuyers many reasons to purchase homes in the city of St. Louis.
Kennedy, a 27-year-old defensive tackle, has constructed or rehabbed more than 50 homes and apartments in the city of St. Louis, and recently he announced plans for a 274-home development called Kennedy Place.
The development, at the intersection of Delmar and Skinker, will cost $100 million and take five years to complete. The two- and three-bedroom homes will all be priced under $200,000.
“I’m going to make St. Louis my home,” said Kennedy, who is to be married to Dwaneen Hicks on Saturday (March 17).
“Whether I’m in St. Louis (my entire NFL career) I will be here, making this a better place to live.”
Kennedy has been active in the St. Louis real estate market for about two years, and he dedicated much of his graduate study at Penn State University to business management.
Knowing that his future would include a lucrative NFL career, Kennedy says, “I wanted to learn how to invest (money) and how to keep it.”
“It’s not often that a young guy that grew up in the projects gets millions of dollars put in his hands. It’s hard to not blow it,” he said.
“I don’t see myself as just a football player. It’s just one part of what I want to be. Just like I want to be the best football player I can be, I want to be the best developer I can be, too.”
Kennedy spent time in a foster home and ran afoul of the law while a New York City youth. He said his mom and dad “had their struggles.” He said he wants to build homes so he can help build strong families.
That means building homes that everyday people can afford.
“Police officers and firefighters risk their lives for us everyday. Teachers educate us everyday. They will never make the kind of money I will playing football. So I am building homes that they can afford. And I want the homes to be special. I’m building homes that I would want to live in,” he said.
“I’d rather build 10 homes and make $10,000 profit each than build one home and make $100,000 profit. That’s because those 10 can turn to 20, 30 or 40. Then, an entire neighborhood can be better.”
Johnson calls Kennedy “an awesome young man.”
“He’s 27 and has money, but he’s so well-grounded. He is putting out his own money to make his vision a reality. He wants to do more than just build homes; he wants to build lives,” Johnson said.
“He has given away houses, but he doesn’t make a big deal of it. He is just a great young man.”
Kennedy said that he will continue to help build St. Louis neighborhoods, “but you don’t have to hear about it. I don’t want any publicity about it.”
Kennedy said his life “is a blessing,” and he wants to make sure others reap benefits from his success.
“I want to attack the market so you have something gorgeous and affordable to live in. The rehabs are nice, the homes are nice. If you buy one of these properties, you’ll have something special,” Kennedy said.
Constructed by Whitfield Building Co., the homes include granite counter tops, two-and-half bathrooms and two-car garages.
“He wants to help people,” Johnson said.
“It’s his way of saying ‘thank you’ for his blessing in life.”