Property on Nashville Road that used to house Western Kentucky University’s ALIVE Center will now be the new home of a nonprofit for special needs adults.

“Everybody is just over the moon about having our own place,” said Laura Orsland, founder and CEO of The HIVE, which focuses on teaching independent living skills to special needs adults.

On Friday, WKU’s Board of Regents approved a lease agreement with the nonprofit. It will allow The HIVE to pay $500 a month for three years with the option to purchase the property at any time during the lease for $250,000. Lease payments will count toward the purchase.

After founding The HIVE two years ago and drawing inspiration from her special needs son, the nonprofit had been outgrowing the space it leased at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge near the National Corvette Museum. The news Friday left Orsland nearly speechless.

“To be able to do this is just, I don’t even know what the word is for it,” she said.

The nonprofit has already begun making repairs and minor renovations at the property located near the roundabout on Nashville Road.

The work includes tearing up carpets and making the space more accessible.

“We’re ready to start painting,” Orsland told the Daily News on Friday.

Ideally, Orsland said the space should be up and running by the middle of next month. The nonprofit’s first year of rent has already been covered by a gift from John and Linda Kelly of Bowling Green, Orsland said, adding she’s grateful for the donation.

As part of its outreach efforts, The HIVE plans to work with WKU to create applied learning opportunities for students and expand its involvement with the university’s social work, nursing and education programs, a news release said. The HIVE also supports the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex, the Kelly Autism Program and WKU’s Best Buddies chapter.

While the building on Nashville Road needs some work, Orsland doesn’t mind. She plans to turn it into a laboratory for teaching independent living skills.

The building offers a large meeting room for activities like yoga or art classes, and a big backyard. Orsland also said it feels a lot like someone’s home.

She said the nonprofit is ready to start making the space the one they’ve been dreaming of.

“We are stoked,” she said.