My firm, The Project Group, is serving as the Owner’s Representative for Aspen Place at Lorain Avenue and West 61st Street – across the street from the Zone Recreation Center and adjacent to RTA’s West 65th Street Station. At 49,000 SF, it’s a 40-unit residential structure with a total project cost of $10.7 million.
Our client, the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO), is developing this project in its nationally-renowned EcoVillage Neighborhood. This is TPG’s 10th engagement with DSCDO, dating to 2006.
All units at Aspen Place will be “affordable” as prescribed by national regulations – serving households making between 30% and 60% of an area’s median income. “Our objective is, and always has been, to create and maintain affordable housing in our neighborhoods,” said Anya Kulcsar, DSCDO’s Director of Real Estate Development.
As a result, of the 40 units, 38 apartments will be 1- and 2-bedroom units – ranging from 680 to 990 SF; with rents ranging between about $300.00 and $900.00, including utilities. The remaining 2 are family-sized, 4-bedroom units – each at about 2,100 SF; starting rents will be approximately $1,000.00 per month, again including utilities
This “affordable” criterion is a requirement of the main financing tool for the project – Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). This program was born out of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and was created to encourage investment in multifamily affordable housing.
Since its inception, this program has been used throughout the City of Cleveland and has often been a catalyst for residential development. According to DSCDO Project Manager Brittany Senger, “In 1987, DSCDO received one of the first LIHTC allocations to complete a $4.2 million dollar renovation of the Gordon Square Arcade – resulting in the creation of 64 subsidized apartments and 12,000 SF of retail space.”
Since then, DSCDO has developed seven (7) LIHTC projects – creating over 300 affordable housing units on Cleveland’s Near West Side. DSCDO is the City’s only community-development organization to have secured an allocation of credits for the past five (5) years.
In another notable feature, DSCDO has formed a partnership with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) to provide free transit/bus passes for residential tenants in the development. Located immediately adjacent to the West 65th Street RTA Station, Aspen Place is a prime example of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) – a nationwide movement to ensure that people living in affordable homes have easy access to public transit.
According to Ms. Kulcsar, “Part of our mission has to involve doing our part to ensure that utility costs stay affordable as well.” Therefore, in addition to being a model for TOD, DSCDO aims to achieve a 50% reduction in energy demand compared to the minimum Ohio Building Code requirements. DSCDO will use performance-management systems and resident engagement to optimize the building systems and build awareness about the cost saving features available in the building.
Marous Brothers Construction (MBC) is the design/build contractor on the job. Chris Auvil, MBC’s lead architect, says "The Aspen Place project has been both challenging and rewarding. Challenging for the restricted site confines, the green-design requirements, the mixed-use program including small retail space, and the tight budget. But we've made it work – so it's been rewarding for all the same reasons, as well as the opportunity to contribute affordable housing to the local market."
Currently, the foundations and slabs-on-grade have been completed, the structural steel has been erected, and the prefabricated, stick-built walls are going up. Completion is expected by year’s end, with people moving in after the Holidays.
If I had a hammer!
Z
